If you’re looking to save time when you smoke weed, one method is to use pre-rolls. Why spend time rolling new joints when you’re stoned and feel lazy? There’s a quicker and better way to do it.
In the rest of this article, we’ll explain what a pre-roll is, as well as what to expect from the pre-roll experience and how to store them. We’ll also cover the advantages and disadvantages of them.
Pre-rolls are joints that dispensaries make in advance to save time for smokers. Instead of rolling joints on their own, a smoker can buy ready-to-smoke joints. Pre-rolls can also be made at home using a machine.
Note that it’s not just dispensaries; every type of joint that is ready for smoking can be considered a pre-roll. You can make pre-rolls at home, and while they won’t be perfect like the ones at a dispensary, you still pre-rolled your joints.
The idea is that they’re all ready so you can keep smoking without stopping to roll again.
Pre-Roll Basics
Dispensaries take the time to make the joints professionally by grinding the weed, then placing it inside a rolling paper, putting a filter in, and sealing it. Each pre-roll is measured by the gram, and most hold a quarter or half a gram.
While pre-rolls can be purchased individually, many dispensaries and cannabis vendors sell multi-pack options as well. Seriously, why get one if you’re gonna end up dry in an hour? Strains and potency will vary depending on what it is you are looking for in your smoking experience.
Pre-rolls can be found just about anywhere cannabis is sold. If you hit up the average café in Amsterdam, you can get them served with coffee. They come in a variety of sizes with optional add-on features to increase potency if that is what you are searching for.
The classic style of a pre-rolled joint contains about .25 to .5 grams of flower. Alternatively, there are also cone joints which are typically a bit larger, weighing in between .5 and .75 grams.
If you are a go big or go home kind of person, you can often find king-size cone pre-rolls that contain 1 to 1.75 grams. If you are searching for high-potency options, you may be interested in exploring kief joints, dip and rolls, caviar joints or moon sticks, or the almighty cannagars.
Why Use Pre-Rolled Blunt? Major Advantages
The main benefit of pre-rolls is that they save you time. A good joint can take 3-5 minutes to make (grinding weed, rolling it on the paper, sealing it, etc).
A smoker can enjoy a long session with pre-rolls because their joints are ready for them, and they can smoke them without stopping to prepare more.
The last thing you want is to be high as a kite, sitting back on your couch, and having to get up to roll more. You want to have them at the ready, so all you have to do is light up and blaze.
A pre-roll, no matter if rolled by hand or purchased from the dispensary, will give you the benefit of smoking immediately.
All the hard work is already done for you! All that is left to do is to smoke and enjoy. Not only are pre-rolled joints ready to spark up, but you can also expect them to be crafted to near perfection if you buy them at the dispensary.
The quality of a joint and how it is rolled can make all the difference and allow the experience to be most enjoyable. Joints that are rolled either too loose or too tight will not burn evenly. When you go for the pre-rolls, you can just about guarantee a great smoking session.
Rolling a joint can have a bit of a learning curve and can even be a somewhat messy process. One can certainly roll their joints, but this process includes picking out stems and seeds and grinding up the weed, which can also leave your hands feeling pretty sticky.
If you are someone that appreciates ease, simplicity, and clean hands, pre-rolls may just be for you. You can’t beat the convenience of someone doing the hard, dirty work for you! You’ll find it quite nice to save yourself time and effort.
Along with the ease, perfection, and convenience of a pre-roll, people often prefer pre-rolls because they are reasonably priced and easy on the pockets.
Not only can you obtain pre-rolls for an affordable price, but it is also very reassuring to always know exactly what you are getting and smoking. Consistency is a huge plus when it comes to cannabis.
Pre-rolls allow you to sample different strains of weed and with a wide variety of cannabis strains available, it’s always great to try out different things and find your go-to preference.
Many people enjoy the discretion of pre-rolls as they can easily pass as some sort of cigar or cigarette. The joints are only a few inches long and can easily be stored.
Potential Cons of Pre-Rolls
While some people enjoy the many benefits of pre-rolls, there are a few notable downfalls to consider. Any joint can be considered fragile and potentially crushed if not properly stored.
There are, however, many options for containers to avoid such a tragedy. Some people in the cannabis community question the quality of the weed within pre-rolled joints.
It is common for pre-rolls to consist of “shake.” Shake is what people would refer to as leftover small pieces of weed. Many people used to be wary of the quality of cannabis within pre-rolls.
However, as marijuana has become legal in many states, dispensaries and vendors have stepped up their game to keep up with the competition in the industry. Lucky for us, pre-rolls have come a long way in terms of quality and efficiency.
Smoking joints may be the most common and classic way to enjoy marijuana. However, one downside of joints, in general, is that a lot of the beneficial properties of weed are wasted when using this method.
A joint, of course, continuously burns as it is lit. The excess smoke that is produced by the end of the joint means that the bud inside is essentially being wasted. As the joint burns, the bud inside turns into ash, which can also lead to a lot of waste.
Lighting a Pre-Roll
The best way to light a joint is to do so without inhalation. Lighting the joint before it is placed in your mouth will help to create an even burning cherry.
A common issue with joints that are not properly lit is that they burn unevenly, creating an effect that is commonly referred to as “canoeing.” Canoeing describes the tragedy of a joint burning too quickly on one side or the other.
If one side of the joint is burning too fast, the joint will take on a shape resembling a canoe, making it very challenging to smoke and perhaps ruining the entire experience.
When lighting a joint, always be patient. It is better to go slow and steady and light it properly rather than rushing the process and risking a disaster.
To avoid the dreaded canoeing of a joint, hold the joint in your hand and begin to light the tip. It may be helpful to not place the direct flame onto the end of the joint and instead hold the flame a few centimeters away from the paper.
This way, the joint will still light and you can avoid the risk of overdoing it and creating an uneven burn. As it burns, slowly spin the joint so that the flame is evenly distributed across the end of the joint.
Once you have a cherry that is evenly lit and burning, you can puff on it and begin your smoking journey.
How To Smoke A Pre-Roll
If you are new to smoking, it can be a bit tricky and intimidating trying to figure out how to actually smoke. The object, of course, is to inhale the smoke so that the cannabis fills your lungs.
To get a smooth hit and to avoid uneven burning of the joint, pull the smoke into your mouth before inhaling the smoke into your lungs. It is best to start with small, shallow tokes, especially if you are not an elite stoner.
Once the smoke is in your mouth, you can slowly inhale by using your diaphragm to take in a slow, deep breath. A common mistake by first-time smokers is trying to swallow the smoke rather than inhaling it.
This would make for an uncomfortable experience, and it is important to remember that THC will not be effective unless the smoke is inhaled properly into your lungs. Once you have inhaled, you can wait about two seconds and then exhale in the same motion by letting out a slow and steady breath until your lungs feel clear.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to attempt to hold the inhale of smoke for a long period of time as it will not increase the potency of your hit. In fact, there is no benefit to doing this at all, and if anything, it risks potentially depositing tar and resin into the lungs. Two seconds is all the time it takes to enjoy the maximum benefits of THC.
Another common misconception about smoking is that coughing means your high will be increased. Some may say you have to “cough to get off.” While this is a clever rhyme, coughing does not indicate the effectiveness of your hit.
If you do find yourself coughing, however, be assured that this is totally normal. After all, your lungs are essentially irritated with a foreign contaminant. Staying mindful of taking small pulls on the joint will help to reduce your risk of coughing and irritation within the lungs.
What To Expect From Smoking A Pre-Roll
One or two hits are likely all it will take for an inexperienced smoker to begin to feel the euphoric feeling of the THC. If you are new to smoking cannabis, try to wait 5 to 10 minutes before you hit the joint more than a couple of times. As you gain experience, you will be able to gauge how much of a joint to smoke (if not all of it).
Knowing how much to consume depends on a few different factors, including what type of results you are looking for. Some people prefer to take just a few hits in order to mellow out and relax. Others like to consume large amounts of cannabis; it is all simply a matter of personal preference.
Another factor to consider when deciding how much cannabis to consume is to consider the strain and strength of your pre-roll. One of the great benefits of pre-rolls and why they are so useful is that you can decide what kind of high you are looking to achieve by the type of pre-roll you purchase.
Different types of cannabis offer different effects. Knowing which type of cannabis offers certain benefits can allow you to have the enjoyable high you are looking for.
The two major types of weed are indica and sativa. Indica tends to give people a soothing and relaxing body-high experience. Many people prefer to use indica at night time as it can help them to relax, settle in and even help to get a good night’s sleep. Sativa, on the other hand, offers a more energized rather than a calming, sleepy feeling.
Consuming sativa will give you more of a head high rather than the body high experienced from indica. A good way to remember the difference between the two is to think “in da couch” for indica as you’ll be more likely to sink into the couch and relax. Some even prefer a hybrid strain that contains both indica and sativa.
Remember that cannabis is natural and safe. Never in the history of existence has anyone fatally overdosed by consuming cannabis. And although this natural, magical substance is safe, consuming too can lead to an uncomfortable experience. Trust me, I know!
It is typically easy to avoid a negative experience by smoking at a slow and steady pace to ensure you are mindful of the effects. With practice, you will find what works best for you.
Joints can easily be put out and saved for later when necessary. To put a joint out, lightly tap the burning cherry onto an ashtray or a non-flammable, fire-resistant surface. Later we will discuss a few options for properly storing your pre-rolls.
Some people do not enjoy the psychoactive effects of THC. Luckily, there is another pre-roll option for those who enjoy the medicinal benefits of cannabis for both the body and the mind. CBD pre-rolls offer the calming effects of cannabis without altering one’s state of mind. On the contrary, CBD can help offer mental clarity.
Just as there are many strains of THC, there are different strains of CBD. Some strains are helpful in relieving stress; others may be centralized on pain relief or improving sleep.
Those who use CBD report a general feeling of well-being after smoking. The feel-good stage of mind after smoking CBD can be compared to the rush of dopamine people experience after exercising. Unlike with the consumption of THC, smoking will not make you feel hungry or, as they say, give you “the munchies.” However, if you’re someone who frequently gets hungry and overeats when they’re high, we have a full guide on how to avoid the munchies.
Creating Your Own Pre-Rolls
If you have tried smoking joints and decide that this method of cannabis consumption works well for you, you may decide to learn how to roll your own. The classic method of rolling a joint takes some practice to perfect. Luckily there are many different methods and tools available that can make rolling a breeze. Let’s explore a few different available methods for preparing your very own pre-rolls.
Preparing To Roll
To save money, you can pre-roll your own joints at home. Start by grinding up the weed into small pieces. Grinding up the bud makes for a slow and even burning joint, which is key!
Bud can always be ground up by hand by simply tearing apart each bud, ripping, and splitting it all up into small pieces. Alternatively, use a weed grinder to easily grind up your cannabis.
Whether you are using a grinder or the good, old-fashioned method of breaking up your weed by hand, it’s important to pick out any seeds or stems that you find. Seeds and stems are commonly found in cannabis.
After all, they are a natural part of the plant. Even still, they should be removed as you will want to avoid smoking seeds or stems. Smoking stems have been known to cause some unwanted side effects in people, including coughing, sore throat, and headaches.
Stems actually burn at a much higher temperature than the actual cannabis flower due to them containing cellulose. This can lead to a harsher smoking experience.
Another downfall of stems within a joint is that they can rip through the rolling paper, making it difficult or impossible to smoke. Seeds, on the other hand, when mixed into a joint, will pop and crackle like firecrackers as they are lit, which is never a very fun experience.
Grinders can make life a little easier, allowing you to ground up large amounts of weed all at once. Most grinders usually consist of three separate chambers. The first part of the grinder is where you place the buds that need to be broken down.
As you twist the top compartment, the weed begins to separate into small bits of flower. As the bud is reduced, the small pieces fall down into the second layer of the grinder.
From here, you can open up the second layer to reveal beautifully ground-up cannabis, ready to be rolled. You want nice, small pieces of weed, but try not to overdo the grinding. Going too far can turn the flower into a powder and create a harsh taste or a joint that burns much too quickly.
The third compartment of a grinder may just be the favorite of many cannabis users. After the bud is ground into the second chamber, there are smaller particles of the plant that trickle down to the bottom level of the grinder.
These tiny particles fall through a screen to reveal a beautiful crystallized substance referred to as kief. Kief is much more potent than the regular flower and can be sprinkled into a joint if you are looking to kick it up a notch.
Many people like to add a filter into their joints, which is most commonly found within pre-rolls. There are several advantages to consider about using filters.
For one, filters reduce the probability of getting unwanted bits of marijuana in your mouth, commonly referred to throughout the cannabis community as “scooby snacks”.
Filters also help to protect your lips and fingers from potential burns. Because filters can reduce the tar and resin that gets into your lungs, it reduces bronchial irritation and can prevent coughing.
You can purchase actual joint filters or make your own using a thick piece of paper such as a business card, index card, or thin cardboard. If you are making your own, cut a piece of your thick paper of choice to about one inch long and 5 cm wide. You can either roll up the piece of paper or fold it like an accordion.
Rolling Up
Grab a joint paper and make sure that the part with the glue is pointing upwards. Place your filter at one end of the paper and start to sprinkle the weed to fill in the rest of the length of the joint paper.
Leave a little space at the end of the joint, on the opposite end of the filter, by using your finger to push the bud towards the filter side. Pick up the paper that is now full of bud with both hands. Gently start to pinch the outside of the joint to form the desired shape.
As you pinch, use your thumbs, pointer, and middle finger to begin to roll the paper into the shape of a joint. Carefully try to fold over the bottom part of the paper (that does not have the glue on it) and continue to delicately roll.
Once you have your joint rolled into a nice shape, you can wet the glue strip by licking it like you would an envelope. You want to make sure it is wet but avoid excess slobber because nobody likes a soggy joint! You can then secure the paper with glue, and there you have it!
As mentioned previously, perfecting the practice of rolling can take some practice. It may not be very easy at first, but be patient and try not to get too discouraged.
If you are looking for an easier way to attempt to make your own pre-rolls, you can also try simpler solutions such as cones or rolling machines. Cones are essentially a pre-shaped, empty joint that you can easily just dump weed right into. Once you pour the weed in, twist up the end, and you are ready to smoke.
Along with the ease of cones, many people prefer to use rolling machines to craft the perfect joint. You can get a cigar-rolling machine for just about $5, which works like magic. There are also even quicker and easier rolling machines, including electronic options as well as devices that can roll many joints all at one time!
Storing Pre-Rolls
Keep pre-rolls cool and dry in an air-tight container. This will help to ensure longevity and freshness. There are specific containers made just for storing joints. These can be reusable tubes referred to as cigar tubes or a saverette.
You can even put a lit joint into a saverette and be assured that it will be extinguished on its own within 5 seconds. This can help make sure that the joint is not damaged, which can sometimes happen when using a regular method such as an ashtray if too much pressure is applied.
How to store your joints is certainly a personal preference. The saverette or cigar tube offers a sleek, transportable option. Some people like to use something as simple as a mason jar to ensure that the joints are airtight and protected. Many smokers also like to keep it simple and use either a ziplock bag or pill bottle to store their joints.
There are lots of different ways to store your cannabis and keep it fresh and ready to consume. The biggest takeaway when storing joints or other forms of marijuana is to make sure that the location is dry because moisture can cause mold to form. Keeping your joints in an air-tight container can help keep them fresh for months at a time!
Wrapping (Or Rolling) Up:
Pre-rolls offer cannabis users a convenient and affordable way to enjoy smoking. Deciding to go for a pre-roll makes the experience quick and easy, as you could simply walk out with your purchase and immediately consume the cannabis without any added preparation or effort.
The ability to easily and discreetly store pre-rolled joints, as well as the opportunity for variety, makes pre-rolls a popular choice for many.
If you are interested in pre-rolls, do not hesitate to ask questions while shopping. A good budtender should be able to answer any questions and explain the difference between certain strains and potencies of the available rolls. If you decide to dive in and try a pre-roll, let us know what you think!