Pre-Rolls in Saint John: A Buyer's Guide

A pre-roll is a joint that comes already rolled, packed with ground flower and ready to light. Saint John Bud Express carries singles, multi-packs and infused pre-rolls for people in Saint John who want to skip the grinder and papers, and this guide explains the differences so you can pick the right one.

What is a pre-roll?

At its simplest, a pre-roll is ground cannabis flower packed into a cone of rolling paper, usually with a filter or crutch at the end so it draws evenly and doesn't fall apart. They're made by machine or by hand, and the quality depends on two things: what's inside and how well it's packed.

Convenience is the point. No grinding, no rolling, no sticky fingers, no tray on your lap. You open the tube, light up and you're set. For a walk, a campfire or a night when you just don't feel like rolling, that's hard to beat.

Consistency helps too. A well-made pre-roll burns evenly from end to end. Many people who roll their own still keep a few on hand for nights out.

What kinds of pre-rolls are there?

Standard flower pre-rolls

These are just flower and paper. They can be made from whole buds or from smaller pieces and trim, which is one reason prices and quality vary. A good one smells like the strain on the label and holds its shape.

Infused pre-rolls

Infused pre-rolls add a concentrate to the flower. That can be distillate, live resin or hash mixed into the grind, a coating of oil on the outside, or a roll in kief. The result is noticeably stronger than a plain joint.

Go easy on these. Even regular smokers often find one infused pre-roll goes a long way. Share it, or take a few puffs and put it out. If you're curious about the extras that go into them, read our hash and kief guide.

Blunts and specialty rolls

Some pre-rolls use thicker wraps, hemp wraps or flavoured papers. They tend to burn slower and taste different from a classic paper. It's mostly a matter of taste.

Singles or packs: which should you buy?

Singles are good for trying something new. If you've never had a strain, one joint tells you a lot before you commit to a larger amount.

Packs usually work out better per joint and are handy if you smoke regularly or with friends. Multi-packs of smaller joints are also nice when you want a quick session instead of a full joint.

Mixed approach. Plenty of people keep a pack of a reliable everyday strain and grab the odd single of something different to see what they like.

What sizes do pre-rolls come in?

Pre-rolls are sold by the weight of flower inside. You'll commonly see:

• Half-gram joints: a short session for one person, or a good size for beginners.
• One-gram joints: the classic full joint, easy to share between two or three people.
• Smaller "dogwalker" style joints: a few puffs each, often sold in packs, good when you only want a little.
• Larger joints: made for a group, and they take a while to finish.

Size isn't strength. A small infused joint can hit harder than a big plain one. Check whether a pre-roll is infused and what's in it, not just how much it weighs.

How can you tell a good pre-roll from a bad one?

It should smell like weed. When you open the tube, there should be a fresh, recognizable aroma. A stale, papery or hay-like smell is a bad sign.

It should feel evenly packed. Gently roll it between your fingers. Soft spots or lumps tend to cause canoeing, where one side burns faster than the other. Too tight and it's hard to pull through.

It should burn evenly. If yours starts to canoe, turn it so the slow side faces down, or lightly wet the fast-burning edge.

The paper matters. Thin, plain papers burn cleaner and let the flavour come through. Heavy or bleached papers can add a taste of their own.

How should you store pre-rolls?

Pre-rolls dry out faster than whole buds because the flower is already ground, giving it more surface area exposed to air.

• Keep them in their tube. The doob tube or tin they come in is the simplest airtight container.
• Keep them cool and out of the sun. A pocket on a hot day or a car dashboard will dry them out quickly.
• Don't let them get crushed. A squashed joint burns unevenly.
• Smoke them while they're fresh. A pre-roll that sits for months won't taste the same, even when sealed.

Relighting a half-smoked joint. That's fine, but the leftover can taste harsh. Store it in its tube rather than loose in a pocket. Our guide to storing weed has more tips that apply to pre-rolls too.

When does a pre-roll beat rolling your own?

When you're heading out. It's simpler to bring a tube than a grinder, papers and a bag of flower.

When you're trying a strain. A single tells you if you like it, without buying a full eighth.

When you can't roll well. No shame in it. A clean pre-roll smokes better than a wobbly hand-rolled joint.

When rolling your own wins. If you smoke a lot, rolling from your own flower usually costs less, and you know exactly which buds went in. You also control the size and the paper. We compare the two in pre-rolls vs rolling your own, and if you'd like to learn, how to roll a joint has a step-by-step. Papers and filters are in our rolling papers category.

What should you know before you light up?

You need to be 19 or older, and our drivers check ID at the door. Where you can smoke in public is set by the province and by local bylaws, so check the current provincial rules before lighting up outside. Be considerate around kids and in shared buildings, and never drive high.

How does pre-roll delivery work in Saint John?

Order online, pay cash when the driver arrives and show your ID. The minimum order is $50, delivery is $5, and it's free over $100. Most orders arrive in 1 to 3 hours. See the weed delivery page for the run times and the areas we cover, and the promotions page for this week's deals.

The Bottom Line

Pick singles to explore, packs for your regular smoke, and treat infused pre-rolls with respect. Keep them in their tubes, away from heat, and smoke them while they're fresh. Browse our current pre-rolls to see what's rolled and ready this week.