Written by Brandon Topp

Many cannabis lovers go their entire lives without ever learning how to roll the perfect joint.

It’s a nimble process you can only master after rolling a few duds and properly getting a feel for it.

Still, if you don’t have a proper starting block and can’t find some simple steps to refer to when rolling a joint for the first time, getting it down is all the more difficult.

We put together this step-by-step guide on how to roll the perfect joint so that readers and friends here can get a sense of the rolling process and start twisting up great times yourselves.

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How To Roll a Joint: Everything You Need

Before we discuss the steps to rolling a great joint, we need to ensure that you have the right tools.

Here’s everything you need to roll a joint:

Cannabis

You can’t forget the star of the show when you set out to roll a joint. To find some quality cannabis flower to roll your joint with, consider prioritizing a high-quality cannabis provider with transparent farming, production, and sales processes.

This way, you can make sure your weed is clean and absent of any harmful metals or molds that sometimes pop up with unregulated cannabis.

At Mood, for example, every product is tested by third-party labs to ensure it meets federal health and safety guidelines.

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A Functioning Grinder

Whether you prefer a metal grinder, acrylic grinder, or a homemade scissors-in-a-bottle grinder — using some sort of device to break down your flowers will result in a better joint.

It’s our opinion that metal weed grinders are most effective at breaking down cannabis for joints, especially those with extra chambers for capturing kief to sprinkle into the mix.

A metal grinder needs to be well-maintained and kept clean for it to do its job well and easily.

Learn More On The Mood Blog: How To Clean a Weed Grinder: A Guide For All Grinder Types

Rolling Papers and Crutch

Obviously, you need rolling papers for a joint.

The other piece of the puzzle is the crutch or filter, which is an optional mouthpiece that you can buy pre-made or create yourself by rolling up a little piece of cardboard and placing it at the end of the joint that you’ll be pulling from.

In terms of rolling papers, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the variety that’s out there. You can find regular-sized rolling papers, king-sized papers, hemp papers, and so many more varieties.

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Top Rated Rolling Paper for the Perfect Roll

Looking at some favorites from each category, these are a few of our favorite rolling paper recommendations:

French Orange Zig Zags - Best For First-Time Rollers

One of the most recognizable rolling paper brands in the game — the French Orange Zig Zags, comes in a signature box with a bearded man in a beany and that Nickelodeon orange coloring.

The thickness of the rolling paper, which is made with natural plant fibers and raw natural Arabic gum, makes them easy to grip and roll, which makes a huge difference when you’re a newbie.

Raw Organic Hemp Rolling Paper - Best For a Smooth Smoke

While Zig Zags are popular for being easy to roll, Raw Organic Hemp Connoisseur rolling papers are incredibly popular among modern weed enthusiasts for being easy to smoke and roll.

These slow-burning rolling papers will help you make the most of your flowers, while the hemp fibers they’re made are smooth to smoke.

OCB Premium King Size Slim Rolling Papers - Best For Expert Joint Rollers

Incredibly thin, long, and smooth to smoke, the OCB Ultimate Premium King Size Slim Papers are popular among experienced joint smokers around the world, especially so internationally.

Because they are so light, you really need to have a firm grasp on rolling joints to fill one of these out without it tipping over or canoeing. When well-rolled, an OCB joint can make for a phenomenal smoking experience.

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Fire Source

Back to our joint-rolling and smoking essentials — a fire source is one of the most forgotten and crucial pieces of the joint-smoking puzzle. Too many sessions have been delayed while everyone pats their pockets to discover they all forgot a lighter.

Remember to bring one or a book of matches to start the festivities off on the right foot. For those who don’t want to light their joint tips with butane, consider picking up an affordable hemp wick for your lighter.

For when you inevitably do forget your lighter, keep a vape on hand so you can still have a good time.

Check out Mood’s selection of compact and convenient cannabis vapes today.

Any Of Your Joint Extras

Every joint is unique, and you should fashion yours to your personal preference. A lot of people like to add elements beyond ground weed to their joints.

Perhaps you’re a spliff person, in which case you’ll want to make sure you have some tobacco on hand.

Or, for those who like to keep things purely in the hemp realm, you can always sprinkle on some cannabis concentrates to spice up your smoking experience.

Alternatively, you can also make a lighter joint by mixing in some CBD or other non-psychoactive buds.

THCa Moonrocks are a great addition to any joint and are only $49 at the Mood Shop. Subscribe and save 15%.

Your Step-by-Step Guide To Joint-Rolling

Without further ado, here’s a breakdown of how to roll a joint in ten easy steps.

Remember, you can use this guide as a reference but also expect to wade through some trial-and-error before you get a feel for rolling easily every time. From there, for most rollers, it truly becomes just like riding a bike.

1. Set Up Tools on a Flat Surface

Taking a second to find a flat surface on which you can comfortably set up your tools and roll your joint is crucial for several reasons.

The flat surface is mainly a place to break up your weed or to dump out your freshly ground cannabis.

For newbies and a lot of seasoned joint rollers, there’s bound to be some spillage through the rolling process, which the surface helps with.

Many weed smokers use rolling trays. This way, the tray can get some residue on it and catch any fallen flowers to prevent waste and keep any surfaces in your home clean. It’s also a nice, central location to place your grinder, papers, lighter, and pot.

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2. Grind Up Your Cannabis

We’ve covered the importance of keeping a clean grinder. Whether you have one or not, your first step towards rolling your joint will be grinding or breaking up your weed on your flat surface.

Whether you’re stuck using your fingers or have the pleasure of using a smooth, powerful metal grinder — make sure to take the time to break down all the chunky buds making up your flowers.

Also, make sure to give your weed a once-over for any seeds or stems, pick those out, and discard them to avoid having them break through your joint.

Once your cannabis is ground and on your surface, you can gather all the shake and kief with a credit or business card, so it’s easy to scoop up and put in your joint.

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3. Make Or Grab a Crutch

For a little refresher — a crutch means a filter or mouthpiece for your joint.

Historically, weed smokers have made their crutches by breaking off a bit of cardboard from the box of papers and rolling a little circular mouthpiece from there.

You can also buy crutches from reputable distributors like Raw and Zig Zag. They’re often billed as crutches, crutch books, or joint tips.

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4. Place the Crutch and Flowers in Crease of Paper

Lay the joint paper’s crease between the insides of your index finger and pointer finger, and of course, make sure you’re operating over your tray or surface. The

Your crutch or mouthpiece should be placed in the crease and at the far end of the paper closest to your thumb.

Then spread your freshly ground cannabis across the rest of the paper, letting it nestle in the crease.

5. Roll The Non-Sticky Side Over The Flowers and Crutch

Once your weed and crutch are in the paper, roll the side without the adhesive over the flowers and crutch until it meets the other end of the paper.

With your fingers on the outsides of the long sides of the paper, rub them together to push the weed down.

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6. Twist Tight, Roll In and Upwards

Fold the non-adhesive side over the weed, and press it down the line with your thumb.

At this point, you should have just enough of the non-adhesive side to get around the weed and crutch. Then continue to fold or roll it over in the same direction using the remaining paper to wrap it up. Stop before you roll all the way to the adhesive at the opposite end.

This is the toughest step and the one people must start over most often. It takes a fine touch to feel when to properly tuck the paper in and then roll it up without ripping it.

Take your time. Splurge on a pack of papers and let yourself roll a bunch of duds to find the feeling when you have the time one day.

As you get more advanced, you can try rolling your joints in a cone shape.

Pro Tip For Cone Rolling: Start twisting at the base towards the crutch. The outer ends should bow out like an accordion. From there, you can keep rolling, sliding your thumbs and index fingers from the crutch base outward so you can fit more weed in there.

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7. Lick Sticky Side Just Before Finishing

Once you’ve got your pot wrapped up and the joint is rolling, you will approach the opposite long side with its adhesive lining.

Lick the adhesive just as you would an envelope, and then twist up the rest of the joint so it holds together.

After you lick and roll, run your thumb along the opposite side of the adhesive and press it into the joint to ensure a smooth roll and to reduce wrinkles.

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8. Smooth Out The Joint

Once it’s all in there and rolled up, again run your index fingers and thumbs along the outside edges of the joint to smooth it out and work out any unsightly wrinkles.

Some people lick the outside of their joints to prevent them from burning too fast, while others may add exterior concentrates. You can take these steps now or at the end.

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9. Pack The Weed Down

While the far end of the joint is open, you’ll want to get in there and make sure your weed is packed in nicely.

If a joint is rolled too loose, it will burn too fast. Conversely, if you pack it too tight, it might not have sufficient airflow to smoke easily.

Aim for the consistency you might see in a cigarette, and then adjust your packing methods for every joint to achieve the best balance for you.

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10. Twist The Top and Spark Up

Once your weed is packed down and your joint is rolled up, you can close up the end opposite your mouthpiece by twisting it into a tight wick.

These days, you’ll also find many joints without the ends twisted. These ones usually pack flowers compactly all the way to the end, creating an even surface for lighting.

This final step is reserved for the many of us who aren’t packing every single joint to the absolute brim — no judgment, of course.

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Tips For an Even Burn

Once you have a well-rolled joint, you still need to take some steps to ensure that you’re going to get the most out of your weed.

Taking the proper precautions to ensure an even burn will help maximize your doobie’s potential.

Here are a few tips on how to properly light a joint:

• Roll a smooth joint or use a pre-roll

• Park the flame squarely at the end of the joint for an even burn, and to avoid canoeing

• Spin the joint around as you smoke it

• Consider lining your joint with hash or wax

Mood Cannabis To Practice Rolling Joints With

When you’re ready to start rolling some joints, you can try out any of the high-quality, American-grown THCa flowers we’ve listed above.

Here are a few more favorites you can sprinkle into the mix:

High Potency Flowers For a Chill Time

Featuring nearly 25% THCa, Slurricane is an indica-dominant hybrid that makes for a tasty joint and relaxed session. With notes of lemon and mint, it’s refreshing and relaxing at the same time.

Grab an eighth of Slurricane THCa flowers from the Mood Shop for just $40 today. Subscribe and save 15%.

Top Shelf Flowers For an Energized Time

As this joint burns and fills your ashtray, you're going to miss it because these flowers are that delicious. Gary Payton’s savory diesel flavor complements a 50/50 hybrid design that inspires a strong and social high.

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Medium Potency Flowers For a Happy Time

These flowers are great for people who like smoking weed throughout the day. Its medium potency makes it so it shouldn’t knock you on your butt while still taking the edge off. Another 50/50 hybrid, these Runtz flowers have a fruity and sugary flavor profile.

Grab an eighth of Runtz from the Mood Shop for just $40. Subscribe and save 15%.

Check out the Mood Shop Today and discover cannabis products for the time of day that’s best for you to kick back.

Prices subject to change.