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How to Roll the Perfect Blunt in 6 Easy Steps
Blunts are cool. There is no doubt about that. But suppose you have never rolled one before. In that case, it can look intimidating. But don't fret, stoner friends, for here we provide a need-to-know guide to blunts, including how to roll them—in just six steps. So warm those rolling fingers up, and let's get you schooled.
Contents:
Plenty of regular cannabis users prefer blunts. There are many reasons for this; blunts hold more weed, burn more evenly and slowly, and they look pretty damn cool! However, if you have never smoked a blunt before, trying to roll one, and a good one at that, may be somewhat intimidating. It is pretty different to preparing a joint or spliff, after all.
But there's no need to worry; with a bit of time, practice, and the correct advice, you will be rolling 'em up with the best. Here is our guide to rolling a classic blunt.
What Is a Blunt?
A blunt is cannabis flower rolled inside a tobacco leaf wrap. The tobacco adds a buzz and energy to the cannabis high. Blunt wraps come in packs of 1–2 and are commonly sold at shops where you also purchase rolling papers. They are often flavoured. You can also split open a cigar or cigarillo, empty it, and use the wrapping to make a blunt.
Blunts are bigger than joints, and last longer. However, joints are crafted using rolling paper (such as those made from hemp fibre), and do not contain tobacco. Despite this, both blunts and joints contain exclusively cannabis flower inside the roll-up.
Are Blunts Harsher Than Joints?
If using appropriate rolling papers, joints should exhibit only the flavour of the weed inside them. Blunts, however, do carry a harsher taste and smoke, largely due to the thicker, tobacco-infused wrap from which they are made. Tobacco and nicotine naturally have a more intense flavour. Most blunt wraps that you can buy are also flavoured, which may cause the taste to be even stronger.
Pros and Cons of Smoking Blunts
Some cannabis users only smoke blunts, whereas others like to save them for special occasions. In any case, it pays to know the benefits and drawbacks of this method of cannabis consumption. Here are some pros and cons of smoking blunts.
Pros
- Slow-burning
- Great for sharing in larger groups
- Tobacco adds a buzzy, energetic feel
- Wraps are available in a variety of flavours
Cons
- Smoking tobacco is harmful to health
- Tobacco and extra flavours can change the taste of the strain
- Potentially harsher smoke
- Learning to roll one takes time
How to Roll a Classic Blunt
Rolling a blunt is one of the biggest things that puts people off from smoking them, simply because it is a difficult skill to master. No need to worry, though. Here is a beginner's guide to rolling your first (of many) blunts.
To roll a classic blunt, you need just a few pieces of essential equipment. Nothing technical or overly expensive.
• Cannabis flower
• Cigar, cigarillo, or blunt wrap
• Grinder
• Craft knife/razor blade
Instructions
Once you've acquired everything you need, it's time to start the process. Note that it may take you several tries to get right, but that's all part of the learning process.
1. Choose Your Wrap
If you choose to use a cigar or cigarillo, do not use an old one, as they can dry out rather considerably. This makes them more prone to cracking and breaking while you are rolling. Blunt wraps can be found wherever you buy rolling papers. It’s up to you whether you purchase flavoured or unflavoured varieties.
2. Prep Your Weed
When preparing your flower, you have two choices. You can grind it up, which will help to achieve a consistent burn. Alternatively, as is the time-honoured technique, you can break the flower up by hand. This will help to achieve a slower burn.
If you're using dedicated blunt wraps, these come ready to roll out of the pack. If using cigars or cigarillos, you must empty them first. Use a clean craft knife or razor blade to cut the wrap carefully. Now, empty the tobacco contents, and you are ready to go.
3. Moisten Your Wrap
The blunt wrap will be more flexible and manageable to roll if it is slightly moistened. The moisture can also assist in sealing any very fine cracks that may result from cutting or emptying a cigar or cigarillo wrap. If you are rolling a blunt for yourself, this can be done using saliva. However, if it is to be shared, it is much more hygienic and considerate to dip your finger in some water and use that.
4. Fill Your Wrap
Fill the blunt wrap with your flower. Blunts are bigger than joints, and, on average, require 1 to 2 grams for a cigarillo-sized blunt. However, if you’re using the wrap from a large cigar, you will probably need to add more.
5. Roll Your Blunt
Now comes the tricky part—the rolling. Like with anything, practice makes perfect. Don't be discouraged if your first few attempts are not great. Even those who can roll a great joint can struggle with blunts, as the wrap is thicker.
Start by rolling the open wrap between your forefinger and thumb to pack the blunt evenly and condense the cannabis slightly into the right shape. Now, quickly and smoothly fold the wrap underneath itself, and wet the inside edge of what remains. Continue to roll and smooth with your fingers until your weed is fully encased and the blunt is sealed.
6. Bake It and Smoke It
Once rolled, run a lighter along the seam of your blunt. This will help to seal it, or "bake it", making it less likely to autumn apart and more likely to burn evenly. Ensure you do not hold the lighter too close, as you do not want to burn the wrap.
That's it—your blunt is ready! Enjoy.
How to Roll a Blunt With a Cannabis Fan Leaf
Suppose tobacco isn't your thing. Luckily, you can still enjoy "cannagars" and other styles of blunts that use a cannabis leaf as a wrap. The leaves will have negligible levels of THC in them at best, but they do add to the flavour and aesthetic.
- To start, you will need to source some cannabis leaves. Leaves from an indica strain generally work best because of their wider shape. If you don't have access to leaves, hemp-based blunt paper also works well. You will also need some sticky concentrate or hash oil to use as glue.
- You'll want to roll your blunt with semi-fresh fan leaves that you have left to dry out for a week. Fresh leaves are too moist to burn adequately and are harsh on the throat, and overly dry leaves will crumble.
- Tip: Use a few of the largest fan leaves you have, and put them in a book to keep them flat while they dry out.
- Once dry, take a fan leaf, and cut off the two largest fingers closest to the stem.
- Take the smaller of the two leaf fingers and put the weed in it, rolling it like a regular blunt. Smear a little hash oil on the edges to act as an adhesive, and seal well. Think of where the glue is on a rolling paper. Don't worry if this wrap is not very tight. The crucial thing is that the weed is well-contained.
- Take the other leaf finger, and smear the inside of it with your concentrate glue. Now, roll this leaf finger in a spiral shape tightly over the top of the cannagar. Use more oil/concentrate to stick it down if necessary.
- Allow the blunt to dry out before smoking. The time this takes will vary depending on how much "glue" you had to use and what it consisted of. Once dry, smoke away!
Blunts With Filters: Is It Worth It?
Hardcore blunt purists will tell you that you should not use filters with blunts. However, times have changed, and many people want to enjoy the benefits of a blunt without all the side effects of the harsh smoke.
Filters are small pieces of material you put at the mouth-end of a joint or blunt (think of the filter of a cigarette). Filters offer protection against harmful carcinogens and toxins produced during the smoking process, and can also help to keep the blunt intact and stop pieces of cannabis from getting into your mouth while inhaling.
You can make a simple filter tip by rolling up a piece of card, or you can buy ready-made filter tips constructed from various materials, including corn husks. Some are even flavoured. Glass filter tips are also popular as they can be reused. All styles offer varying forms of filtration, so do your homework first and find which fits your needs best.
Are Blunts the Best Choice?
There is no honest, clear answer here, as it all comes down to personal preference. When it comes to the debate of joints vs blunts, some people prefer one over the other, but many enjoy them as and when they choose. However, given their size, joints are generally considered better for smoking alone or passing between two people.
The slow burn of a blunt, on the other hand, is more ideal for larger groups. How much you can afford to spend also plays a part in the decision, as blunts use 1 or more grams at a time, whereas joints are much more cost-effective if you smoke a lot but are on a budget. If you are still unsure, there is only one way to find out. Give it a try!
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