July 19, 2021

How to Roll the Perfect Joint (With or Without a Filter)

Home > Blog > How to Roll the Perfect Joint (With or Without a Filter)

Learning how to roll a joint is one part art, one part muscle memory. But with enough practice, anyone can master it. Even in a world of discreet vapes and hard-hitting dabs, knowing how to roll weed by hand remains a timeless skill and a core component of cannabis culture.

For anyone who has struggled with learning how to roll blunts, joints, and even spliffs, this guide breaks down everything you need to know. We've got easy-to-follow steps with plenty of alternative methods and materials. With enough practice, who knows? One day, you could even learn how to roll a cross joint. Just remember, this is a journey. Let's take it one joint at a time.

Materials & Tools You'll Need to Roll A Flower Joint

spread of tools and materials needed to roll-a-joint

Before we begin rolling a joint, you'll have to gather a few essential tools:

Cannabis flower
Herb grinder
Rolling papers
Filter tips (*optional)
Rolling accessories (*optional)

Let's provide you with a rundown of each of these tools.

Types of Rolling Papers & Accessories: The Choice is All Yours

Within this short list of materials, there is actually considerable room for personal preference. From paper size to filter choices, it's time to get creative.

Herb Grinder

Technically, you can cut up your bud with a clean pair of scissors and a lot of patience, but most people rely on a traditional type to grind their bud. Most herb grinders require easy manual twisting to produce fluffly ground flower that's ready to roll.

For those with mobility issues or anyone who simply doesn't want to bother with this traditional approach, why not upgrade your setup to a fancy electric grinder? At the click of a button, you'll have a pre-ground pile of flower at the ready.

Rolling Papers

Here is where it starts to get fun! There is an endless supply of rolling papers for you to explore in your joint-rolling journey.

You get to pick your preferred size (king-size paper, 1-½ and 1-¼, singles, double wides, and slims). You also get to choose the material (rice paper, natural hemp rolling papers, conventional paper).

Finally, you can also add a bit of flair with a variety of novelty options, from clear rolling papers to printed patterns and holiday themes.

Filters Tips

While many people still love a filterless joint, plenty of folks opt for a filter. Maybe you'll choose to roll with a DIY filter or save a few seconds by popping in a premade version. Or why not upgrade the blunt with a classy glass tip that's easy to pass around the circle. Not sure where to start? A simple index or business card easily does the trick.

Accessories

To unlock the final step in your joint rolling education, you'll want to update your system so that it becomes a more ritualized process. Create a sacred rolling zone with a rolling tray, a fancy Zippo lighter, and a specialized poker. Better still, stash these all in a special box once the job is done.

Step by Step: How to Roll a Joint

Step 1: Grind your flower to achieve a consistent texture and proper airflow

Use a grinder (or, as a last resort, a pair of clean scissors) to break down the cannabis flower from the nug into a delicate, fluffy, and consistent grind. It should be crumbly and free of stems, which will help the joint burn evenly.

Aim for the consistency of store-bought dried herbs, like oregano or basil, rather than a fine powder.

Step 2: Prepare the filter

While not absolutely necessary, joint filters increase airflow and prevent crumbs of flower from ending up on your lips during the session. Even if you don't have any filters (called crutches) in your stash, you can easily make one from a thin piece of cardboard, like an old business card.

Grab the joint filter and, if needed, prepare it for rolling. Some will come ready to go, while others (like business cards) may require a few accordion folds to create a tight zig-zag. Once done, lay the rolling paper on a flat surface with the glue strip facing up. The glue should be the furthest away from you. Then place the filter on one end of the paper.

Step 3: Load the paper

Fill the prepared rolling paper with the ground cannabis. Sprinkle the flower across the center of the paper from the filter to the other side.

How much should you sprinkle in? We recommend using a half-gram as a good starting point. You can also add more for the next one!

Step 4: Roll and tuck

This is where most people struggle when they try to roll. With both hands, grab the paper at both the filter end and the opposite end. Use your index fingers and thumbs to fold the paper around the cannabis like a taco.

Then, begin to gently roll back and forth. This motion will cause the cannabis flower to form a tight log down the center. Continue this motion until the joint is firm.

How tight should you roll it? Getting it right can take some practice. If you roll a joint too loosely, it can fall apart or burn too quickly. If you roll a joint too tightly, it will be difficult to get a good inhale and may not burn. Aim for a medium firmness. It may take a few sessions to achieve the correct muscle memory.

For the last roll movement, when the little cannabis log is sitting at the bottom side of the paper, tuck the edge of the paper in near the filter end, then slowly roll the paper up to meet the glue edge, tucking this edge in all the way up.

Tip: If you are having trouble rolling your joint because it keeps coming loose, we recommend you restart and begin by pinching it together around the filter with your fingers.

Step 5: Twist, seal, and finish

After your joint is almost fully rolled, find the glue seam at the top, facing you. Lick the glue seam, then continue rolling to form a complete seal. Some people take it one step further by licking along the outside of the seam or using a wet finger to press down along the edge.

Now, you're ready to smoke your joint!

Bonus Lesson: How To Roll a Joint Without a Filter

Can you learn to roll without filters? Absolutely! It requires less equipment and gives you a raw, more traditional experience. But this method is not without its trade-offs.

Without a filter, you might end up with some flower crumbs on your tongue, resin on your lips, or clogging near the end. And for those who pass around the circle, you'll also get that unappetizing soggy tip without a filter.

If you want to try rolling without a filter, skip step two from earlier. When you start shaping your roll, use your index finger where the filter would usually be placed to help maintain the joint's structure. Then continue with the usual back-and-forth movement from step three onward.

Alternative Rolling Methods & Tools

Clumsy fingers, sweaty palms, mobility issues? There are plenty of reasons why you might want to find easier ways to roll joints. The good news is that there is more than one way to get the job done, and without totally missing out on this beloved ritual.

Rolling Machine/Joint Roller

If your joints keep coming out lumpy or loose, a rolling machine is an easy and affordable upgrade for your next session. Just pack in your flower, slide in a rolling paper, and twist. It does most of the work for you and produces near-perfect joints every time.

Rolling Cones

filling a cone with ground cannabis flower

Cones are an option that sits somewhere between a pre-rolled joint and a rolling paper. These are pre-formed into a perfect cone shape, typically with a filter already installed. Fill with ground cannabis, carefully stuff with your trusty poker, and twist. Rolling cones are great for beginners or anyone who’s short on time.

Dollar Bill Trick

This old-school hack uses a dollar bill like a mini rolling machine and works for those who may battle sweaty hand syndrome. Once you have the flower and filter placed in the rolling paper, simply fold the bill around it all, like another tortilla around your taco. Then use the same familiar motion to roll it all together. It's surprisingly effective—just make sure that bill isn't too grimy before you roll up.

Tips for Improving Your Rolling Skills

If you read no further, the number one tip we have for learning how to roll it up is: practice, practice, practice.

Nothing beats hands-on experience. And while we aren't suggesting it will take 10,000 joints to perfect this skill, the fact is, the more you roll, the better you will get. If one joint fails, keep going! It will get better.

Another tip: When rolling a joint, aim for even density and a firm but not tight tuck to avoid airflow issues. Overpacking, underpacking, or a loose tuck can lead to the dreaded canoe. Like Goldilocks, you'll have to experience the full spectrum of joint firmnesses before you figure out what works.

Once you've gotten the hang of the traditional roll, it's time to get creative to impress your friends. Try experimenting with learning how to roll cross joints, tulips, or braids. There truly is no better party trick.

Pre-Rolls and Other Easy Alternatives

For anyone who doesn't have the time or patience to keep up with their daily joint rolling practice, you are in luck. These days, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to enjoying cannabis, without necessarily having to get into the finicky bits like learning how to roll weed.

THC Vapes

For a discreet and zero-prep experience, swap out your joint with a THC vape pen to transform your next session. Instead of smoking, these handheld devices vaporize the flower for a more measured, consistent, and flavorful experience.

THCA Diamonds

For those who prefer a more intense experience, you can upgrade from a vape to an electric dab pipe or a full-blown dab rig to explore the power of THCA diamonds. Don't have a rig? You’re in luck! Hometown Hero is throwing in a free Dab E-Pipe with every concentrate purchase.

Pre-Rolls

If the ritual of smoking a joint is an integral part of the experience for you, you can also stock up on pre-rolls. All the rolling is done for you, making it easy to stock for a big weekend out. Get your favorite strains perfectly packed with a filter in place, without the rolling frustrations or the leftover crumbly mess.

Troubleshooting: Fixing Common Rolling Mistakes

If this is only your first or second attempt, your joints may not turn out as the perfectly manicured pieces of art you’d had in mind. Here are a few fixes for the most common issues with rolling a joint. Just remember to trust the process and keep practicing.

Tip #1: Canoeing (a.k.a. the dreaded one-sided burn)

Canoeing occurs when your joints burn unevenly, creating a canoe-like shape. Typically, this is caused by loose rolling or uneven packing. To prevent canoeing, make sure your flower is evenly distributed from end to end, not bunched up in one area or tightly packed into knots. A firm but not too-tight roll helps maintain an even burn.

Tip #2: Fixing Overpacking and Underpacking

Too much flower and you risk poor airflow, with your joint bursting at the seams. Too little and you'll be puffing on a floppy, loose roll that burns way too fast. While much of this comes down to experience level, a good starting point is about half a gram.

Use a packing tool (a pen cap or pencil tip works great) to tamp the bud down as you go.

Tip #3: Tying Up Loose Ends

If your joint starts to unravel, it could be your rolling technique or paper selection. First, double-check that the glue is on the inside seam.

Then, practice moistening the glue strip evenly, smoothing down the seam with your finger. But if the glue refuses to stay stuck or the paper feels too dry or thin, try switching to a higher-quality brand. Try well-established brands like Zig-Zag and Raw.

Tip #4: Dealing with Resin & Airflow Issues

A clogged joint is usually caused by overgrinding your flower into a fine dust or packing it too tightly. Aim for a medium grind (not powdery) and a gentle tamp down while rolling. If resin starts to gunk up your filter, gently massage the area to break it up.

Mastering How to Roll a Joint Takes Time, but the Style Points Are Worth It

Like any good skill, learning how to roll a joint gets easier with practice. Once you have joint-rolling down, it's easy to get lost in this traditional cannabis craft, transforming every session into a perfectly executed ritual.

But if you're more into convenience than getting your hands dirty, we've got you covered. Explore our premium THCA concentrates and vape carts for a cleaner, more convenient way to experience the power of this plant.

However you choose to explore, Until Next Time, Mind Your Mind.