How To Roll A Joint

Rolling a joint takes a little practice, but once you have the motion down it becomes second nature. Here is what you need and how to do it.

What you need

  • Rolling papers (thinner papers burn more evenly)
  • A grinder, or your fingers
  • A filter or crutch – a small strip of thin cardboard
  • A flat, clean surface or rolling tray

Step by step

  1. Grind the flower. Break it into an even, medium-fine consistency. Too fine and it pulls through the paper; too chunky and it burns unevenly.
  2. Make a crutch. Fold a few small accordion pleats into one end of the cardboard strip, then roll the rest around it to form a small cylinder. It keeps the end of the joint firm and stops plant material getting in your mouth.
  3. Fill the paper. Hold the paper with the gum strip facing you, at the top. Place the crutch at one end and spread the ground flower evenly along the crease.
  4. Shape it. Pinch the paper between your thumbs and fingers and roll it back and forth to pack the material into a cylinder.
  5. Tuck and roll. Tuck the edge of the paper nearest you around the cannabis, then roll upward toward the gum strip.
  6. Seal it. Lightly lick the gum strip and press it closed along the length of the joint.
  7. Pack and finish. Use a pen or chopstick to gently pack the open end, then twist the tip closed.

Tips

  • A loose joint burns fast and runs; a joint packed too tightly won’t draw. Aim for firm but not hard.
  • If you struggle, a cheap rolling machine or pre-rolled cones make it much easier.