Pre-rolls are the easy option: ready to light, consistent and portable. Rolling your own takes a little skill but gives you full control over the strain, size and paper, and often more value for your money. Saint John Bud Express sells both pre-rolls and rolling supplies to customers across Saint John, and this guide lays out the trade-offs so you can choose what suits you.
What is a pre-roll?
A joint someone else rolled. Pre-rolls are cones or joints filled with ground cannabis and packed by machine or by hand. You open the pack and light up.
Many styles. You will see single pre-rolls, multi-packs of smaller joints, and infused pre-rolls coated or filled with concentrates like kief or distillate for extra strength.
Why choose pre-rolls?
Convenience. No grinder, no papers, no rolling technique. Perfect if you are heading out, short on time, or just do not enjoy the process.
Consistency. A good pre-roll is evenly packed and burns steadily. If your own joints tend to canoe or run, a well-made pre-roll avoids that.
Easy for beginners. If you are new to cannabis or have never rolled, a pre-roll is a simple way to start. Smoke a little, put it out, and save the rest.
Easy portions. Smaller pre-rolls are handy when you only want a few puffs.
Variety without commitment. Trying a few different pre-rolls is a low-stakes way to sample strains before buying a larger amount of flower.
What are the drawbacks of pre-rolls?
Less control. You do not choose the grind, the pack, the paper or exactly what went inside.
Freshness. Pre-rolls can dry out faster than whole buds, since ground cannabis has more surface exposed to air. Keep them in their tubes or an airtight container.
Cost per gram. You are paying for the labour and packaging, so pre-rolls often cost more per gram than flower.
Why roll your own?
Pick your exact flower. Choose any strain from the flower shelf, mix two together, or add a pinch of kief.
Choose your paper. Hemp, rice or classic wood pulp papers, slim or king size, with or without a crutch or filter tip. Our rolling papers page has the options.
Control the size. Roll a thin one for yourself or a big one for a group.
Better value. Buying flower and rolling it yourself is usually cheaper per joint, especially if you buy larger amounts like an ounce.
It is a skill people enjoy. For many, rolling is part of the ritual.
What are the drawbacks of rolling your own?
It takes practice. First joints are often loose, lumpy or uneven. It gets easier quickly, and our guide on how to roll a joint breaks it down step by step.
You need gear. A grinder, papers and tips, plus a tray to catch the mess.
Takes a few minutes. Not ideal when you want to light up right away.
Pre-rolls vs rolling your own: a quick comparison
- Effort: pre-rolls need none; rolling takes a few minutes and some practice.
- Control: pre-rolls are fixed; rolling lets you choose strain, paper and size.
- Value: pre-rolls usually cost more per gram; rolling your own is often cheaper.
- Freshness: whole buds stay fresher longer than ground cannabis in a pre-roll.
- Best for: pre-rolls suit beginners, outings and sampling; rolling suits regulars and anyone buying in bulk.
Can you do both?
Absolutely, and lots of people do. Keep a few pre-rolls on hand for nights out or when you are tired, and roll your own from a jar of flower the rest of the time. If you are working out what to buy in bulk, our article on how many grams are in an ounce explains the common sizes.
For a full rundown of the pre-roll shelf, read our pre-rolls guide.
The Bottom Line
Pre-rolls win on convenience and consistency; rolling your own wins on control and value. If you are new or on the go, start with pre-rolls, and if you smoke often, a bag of flower and some papers will stretch further. Browse our pre-rolls and rolling papers, and order through weed delivery in Saint John.