Infused Pre-Rolls vs Regular Joints: Which Should You Buy?

Think of an infused pre-roll as a standard-issue pre-roll with a glow-up — in the form of cannabis concentrate added to the cannabis flower. And, thanks to delivering more bang for the buck in a familiar format, infused pre-roll joints have been surging in popularity; according to cannabis data analytics company Headset, revenue in the category was $1.68 billion in 2025, up about 16.7% year-over-year.

Whether you’re already on the infused pre-roll train, or wondering if it’s time to buy the ticket and take the ride, our guide below will explain the basic lingo, teach you how to twist one up, and what to look for at your neighborhood embarc dispensary — when you’re ready to leave the station.

Infused pre-rolls vs joints

A pre-rolled joint is already just about as convenient as it gets: ground cannabis flower that's been rolled up and delivered to you ready to spark. An infused joint simply does that level of convenience even better by adding potency-boosting cannabis concentrates like wax, hash, or diamonds (some of which can be tricky to handle without specialized tools) directly to the pre-rolled joint.

Thanks to variations in the type of concentrate used (hash, wax, or diamonds are just a few examples) and how it’s added to the joint (dipped, dusted, or layered through the center are a few options), the result is a robust category that adds a dizzying array of options to the flavor, taste, and potency front.

If you’re thinking about adding an infused pre-roll or two to your next embarc order, here are a few things you should know.

What types of concentrates go into infused pre-rolls?

The concentrates you’re most likely to find infusing dispensary pre-roll cannabis products include:

Diamonds

A crystalline concentrate that’s neutral in flavor and high in THC. Diamond-infused pre-rolls are a popular pick for those who prize potency.

Kief

That powdery stuff that accumulates at the bottom of your grinder? That’s kief; it may look like dust, but it’s actually trichomes from the cannabis plant, where most of the THC and terpenes hang out. Minimally processed and lower in potency than other infusions, it can be mixed with the flower or used to coat the outside of an infused pre-roll.

Hash

Apply pressure and heat to kief (see above), and you end up with hash, the OG of concentrates that’s got a robust flavor profile. Layered like a snake through the center of a pre-roll, it creates a type of infused pre-roll known as a hash hole (aka donut) joint.

Live Rosin

Live rosin is a solventless concentrate made by flash-freezing freshly harvested cannabis and then applying heat and pressure, a process that does a good job of preserving the flavors and aromas of the plant.

Live Resin

Live resin gets to the same place as rosin, but uses a solvent in the extraction process. Resin sub-categories, which vary by consistency, include budder, crumble, and shatter.

Moon Rocks

Sometimes called space rocks, they aren’t a type of concentrate, but they’re worth mentioning here because they’re definitely in the spirit of infused pre-rolls. Moon rocks are cannabis buds sprayed with a liquid concentrate (distillate, hash oil, or live resin, for example) and then rolled in kief.

How to make an infused pre-roll

If you want to choose your own adventure, you can easily twist up a DIY infused pre-roll at home by following these simple steps. The best part is, if you already know how to roll a joint, you’re already well on your way. (And if you don’t, brush up by reading our joint rolling how-to here).

Gather your Gear

In addition to your concentrate mix-in of choice, you’ll need cannabis flower (obviously), a grinder, rolling papers (or pre-rolled cones), a crutch or joint tip (if that’s your jam), and a dab tool (don’t skimp here, as mentioned above, some of these concentrates can be hard to handle).

Be Consistent in Your Grind

Getting your cannabis flower to a uniform grind is always important, but even more so when you’re already planning to mess with the airflow by introducing a concentrate.

Lay Your Foundation / Add Your Mix-In

This step will vary a little bit depending on two factors: whether you’re using a rolling paper or a pre-rolled cone, and the consistency of the concentrate you're working with. Either way, the aim is the same: make sure everything is distributed evenly.

If you’re using a rolling paper and a concentrate that skews toward the gooey or sticky (sauce or hash, for example), lay the paper flat and build it like a sandwich with a layer of ground flower (the meat) topped with a uniform layer of concentrate (the cheese). If your goal is the hash hole (hey, that rhymes), dispense a thick line of hash right down the center.

Doing this with a pre-rolled cone will require considerably more skill, but if you’re the kind of person who likes, say, the challenge of building a ship in a bottle, you should do just fine. Either way, this is where a high-quality dab tool can really pay off.

If you’re using something drier and more granular—like diamonds or kief—instead of layering it like a sandwich, toss it like a salad so the concentrate is evenly distributed throughout the flower, then lay it on the paper or tamp it into a cone.

As you roll up (or tamp down) your joint into its final smokable form, keep an eye on the consistency and shape, adjusting as you go and making sure it isn’t rolled too tight to impede airflow. Once you’re done, moisten the adhesive strip and seal it up or twist the tip of the pre-rolled cone closed.

How much are infused pre-rolls?

If that sounds like too much effort, you can always leave it to the professionals who’ve already done the work for you. embarc stocks a range of pre-rolls, including a deep bench of infused pre-roll options, ranging from a 1g diamond-infused joint (starting at $9.05) to 2.5g five-packs ($50.55). Brands offering a wide range of infused pre-roll options include Jeeter, Heavy Hitters, and Claybourne Co.

Infused Pre-Rolls: Big Bang For Your Bucks

Pre-rolls are among the most popular pot products on the market because of their convenience and affordability. Sales of infused joints are surging as people seek more bang for their buck. Just remember: infused pre-rolls are far more potent than regular pre-rolls. So if you're new to the form factor, start low and go slow.