To roll a joint, you grind your flower, make a small cardboard crutch, fill a rolling paper, shape it between your fingers, then tuck, roll and lick the glue strip to seal it. It takes a few tries to get right, and every bad joint teaches you something. At Saint John Bud Express plenty of our customers in Saint John are new to rolling, so here is a plain walkthrough.
What do you need?
- Flower. About half a gram to a gram for a standard joint.
- Rolling papers. Thin papers burn more evenly. A standard 1 1/4 size is easy to learn on.
- A crutch or filter. A small strip of thin card, or pre-made filter tips.
- A grinder. Optional but helpful. No grinder? See how to grind weed without a grinder.
- A clean, flat surface. A tray, a book or a sheet of paper so nothing gets lost.
How do you roll a joint step by step?
1. Grind the flower
Aim for even, medium pieces. Too fine and it packs tight and draws badly. Too chunky and it burns unevenly and can tear the paper. Pick out any stems.
2. Make the crutch
Fold a small accordion. Take a strip of card about the width of your paper, fold two or three small zig-zags at one end, then roll the rest around them. The crutch keeps the end open, stops flower getting in your mouth and gives you something to hold.
3. Load the paper
Glue strip up, facing you, on the far edge. Hold the paper with the crease in the middle. Put the crutch at one end and spread the flower evenly along the crease. A slightly fuller middle gives a classic cone, an even spread gives a straight joint.
4. Shape it
Pinch and roll back and forth. Hold the paper between your thumbs and index fingers and gently roll it up and down. This packs the flower into a firm, even cylinder. Take your time here: this is where good joints are made.
5. Tuck
The hardest part. Roll the edge closest to you over the flower and tuck it under, just behind the flower, starting at the crutch end. Use your thumbs to guide it all the way along.
6. Roll and seal
Roll up to the glue. Once the edge is tucked, roll upward until only the glue strip shows. Lightly lick it, then press it down from the crutch end to the tip.
7. Pack and twist
Firm up the end. Tap the joint, crutch down, on the table, or gently pack the open end with a pen or a twist of paper. Twist the extra paper at the tip closed.
What are the most common mistakes?
Too loose. A loose joint burns fast and runs, where one side burns ahead of the other. Spend longer on the shaping step.
Too tight. If you can't draw through it, it is packed too hard. Try a slightly coarser grind and gentler shaping.
Too much spit. Soaking the glue strip makes the paper weak and wrinkled. A light lick is enough.
Uneven filling. Lumps and gaps make for an uneven burn. Spread the flower evenly before you start rolling.
Running joint. If one side burns faster, lightly wet your finger and dab it on the fast side, or turn the joint so the slow side faces down.
Is it worth learning, or should you just buy pre-rolls?
Both have a place. Rolling your own lets you pick your flower and size, and many people enjoy the ritual. Pre-rolls save time and are handy when you're heading out. Our piece on pre-rolls vs rolling your own weighs it up, and our pre-rolls guide covers the ready-made side.
A few reminders
- Smoke somewhere you are allowed to, and check the current provincial rules on where you can consume.
- You must be 19 or older to buy cannabis in New Brunswick.
- Never drive after smoking.
The Bottom Line
Rolling a joint comes down to an even grind, a good crutch and patience at the tuck. Your first few will look rough, and that's fine. Pick up papers and tips in our rolling papers category, or skip the rolling with pre-rolls through our Saint John weed delivery.
