In the world of relaxation and camaraderie, few things bond a circle of friends like a well-rolled blunt.
Think of rolling the perfect blunt as an art form. It’s a skill that elevates a casual hangout to an unforgettable experience.
Whether you’re a newbie seeking guidance or a seasoned roller looking to refine your technique, we’ve got you covered. This article is your ultimate guide to rolling awesome blunts in six easy steps.
WHAT IS A BLUNT?
Blunts are weed “cigars.” It’s the perfect medium for smoking with friends, especially if you want a slow and relaxed burn.
Crafting a blunt requires precision. Finely ground cannabis is skillfully rolled inside a tobacco leaf wrapper or a hollowed-out cigar. The result looks similar to a cigar, with an elongated shape and neatly sealed ends.
The paper used for blunts is thicker than in regular cigarettes or rolling materials, giving you a slower and more even burn.
It’s a popular way to enjoy marijuana that combines the fabulous scents of cannabis with the slightly sweet and smoky flavor of a tobacco leaf wrapper.
MATERIALS NEEDED TO ROLL A BLUNT
To roll a blunt, you will need the following material:
- Cannabis: Choose your favorite strain of high-quality cannabis. Gather enough to fill a cigar. We’d suggest anywhere from 1 to 3 grams. That way, you have enough to fill the blunt and some extra in case your party grows bigger.
- Grinder: A tool to grind the cannabis into smaller, even pieces. This helps with even burning and easier rolling.
- Cigar: A cigar wrapper made from tobacco leaves. You can buy these at smoke shops or use a hollowed-out cigar by removing the tobacco.
- Sharp blade: You’ll need a sharp blade to open the cigar. Skip the blade if you can stuff the cigar without cutting it open.
- Rolling tray: Use a rolling tray to gather any excess weed that drops when making your blunt. If you don’t have a rolling tray, you can use a plate, a lunch box lid, or a newspaper to collect weed and kief.
- Filter or crutch (optional): A small piece of rolled-up paper or cardboard that you insert into the blunt before rolling. This acts as a filter and can make smoking more comfortable.
- Wetting agent (optional): Some people use a small amount of water or honey to moisten the blunt wrap, making it easier to roll.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR ROLLING A BLUNT
Now that you’ve collected all your ingredients and tools use these set-by-step instructions to roll the perfect blunt.
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Grind the Cannabis
First, grind the weed with your regular grinder until it’s your desired consistency. We’d recommend leaving some coarseness in the product. If the weed is ground too fine, the blunt will burn quickly, ruining the experience.
If you don’t have a grinder, you can go the traditional route and use scissors.
Take your time with this step. Grinding it right will improve your experience and ensure a more consistent burn.
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Prepare The Blunt Wraps
Blunt wraps are commonly found at corner stores, tobacco shops, and dispensaries. They’re inexpensive, and some newer brands offer flavored options. Of course, as we have mentioned, you can use a cigar or cigarillo if you have one available.
If you want to experience a blunt in the traditional sense – with a cigar skin – then buy a cigar with a thick and pliable wrapper. If it’s too dry or thin, the cigar will crack and split, making it almost impossible to smoke your blunt.
You can fix a dry cigar wrapper by adding some moisture back. Lick the exterior to moisturize it before cutting a line down the wrapper with a sharp blade. Split the cigar and remove the tobacco.
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Fill The Blunt Wraps With Weed
Next, fill the blunt wrap or cigar with the weed you ground earlier. Distribute the weed evenly along the wrapper’s center, leaving a section open toward one end. This is where you’ll close and tuck the end later.
One gram of weed should be enough to fill smaller cigars. You can substitute some fillings for large parties with tobacco or dabs.
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Shape And Pack
Mold the cannabis inside the wrap by gently rolling it back and forth between your fingers. Once the cannabis is evenly distributed and shaped, use your thumbs and fingers to pack it down gently. Be careful not to overpack, which can make it difficult to smoke.
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Roll The Blunts
To close up your cigar or blunt wrap, fold it as you would with a typical joint. The rolling process can be tricky because of the larger size of the blunt.
Work from one end of the roll by folding the paper under itself. Continue until you’re left with a cylindrical or conical shape. While rolling, use your thumbs to tuck the cannabis and fold the paper.
Smooth out wrinkles and ensure there are no open spots or cracks. If you find a crack, you can retry the roll with a more malleable cigar wrapper or use the sugar gum from your rolling papers to mend the damage.
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Seal And Bake
After tucking the weed into the cigar, use some spit to adhere the blunt flap to the rolled blunt.
You can add a filter before sealing it, but because the wrap is so stiff, it’s not as necessary as when using regular rolling paper.
To finish it off, remove the moisture you added earlier by “baking” your blunt. Take your lighter and run it along the length of the blunt a few times. The heat fixes the shape of the blunt and removes excess moisture, ensuring a clean burn.
Once that’s done, gather your friends, light up your blunt, and have fun!
TIPS & TRICKS TO ROLLING THE PERFECT BLUNT
Rolling a blunt is an art form. Like any art form, some common tips and tricks can help you roll the perfect blunt. Here are a few things to remember when rolling your blunt.
- Use two hands: Movies and professional blunt rollers have made most believe rolling requires only one hand. And for joints, using one hand is okay. However, as a newbie blunt roller, always use both your hands. It offers more control and is the best way to prevent cracks in the wrapper. You can practice with one hand once you get the hang of it. Until then, take it slow and use the support where you can.
- Don’t be afraid to add moisture: While you don’t want a wet cigar, a damp one will make the rolling process much more manageable. Adding spit is an easy on-the-go way to add moisture, but you can also use a damp paper towel for better hygiene and improved water transfer. Just sandwich the opened cigar paper between two damp towels and gently press down.
- Always bake the blunt: Many people forgo baking their blunt out of haste or laziness. It’s not a good idea. Not only is your blunt more likely to pop open, but it’s also not going to burn as well as it would when dehydrated.
- Practice, practice, practice: The only surefire way to roll the perfect blunt is to practice. Gather your friends and use every opportunity as an excuse to practice your skills.
HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
Remember a few health and safety concerns when rolling your blunts.
Overconsumption
While overdosing on weed is virtually impossible, overconsumption is a different problem.
As the name states, overconsumption is when a weed user consumes too much in one setting. Because blunts are so big, they’re easier to overconsume. However, this is only a problem for people who smoke blunts alone.
Either way, smoking a few blunts worth of weed can make you anxious and induce panic attacks. Save big blunts for gatherings instead of trying to finish it by yourself.
Smoke Toxins
Smoking isn’t just problematic because of the toxins in cigarettes. The smoke you inhale, even without toxins, still causes damage to your lungs. Most cigar wrappers are also made from or contain tobacco, which contains harmful chemicals.
To offset this, use blunt wraps made from toxin-free materials like hemp.
You are likely aware of these safety concerns if you’re a regular smoker. As always, practice smart and safe weed consumption, and purchase your products from trusted dispensaries like Embarc.
ALTERNATIVE ROLLING TECHNIQUES
Rolling a blunt is pretty straightforward. You can get creative with the blunt interior. Still, we’d suggest doing that when you’ve become more confident in your abilities.
Pre-rolled blunts are also pretty popular.
Pre-rolled blunts are already rolled into the signature blunt shape. An empty cigar that hasn’t been cut and laid open is considered a pre-rolled blunt.
To fill your pre-rolled blunt, grind your weed and stuff it carefully into the rolled blunt. Use the back end of a pencil to pack the interior with weed gently. Once that’s done, you can skip baking the joint and light it up.
While this method is more straightforward with blunt wraps, it’s difficult with cigars. The edges tend to split easily because the wrapper is dry and not hydrated while laid flat. So, take your time and use water to keep the cigar malleable.
STORAGE & PRESERVATION
Blunts can lose their luster, flavor, and power if they aren’t stored right. Use the following storage and preservation tips to keep your blunts fresh as the day you rolled them.
- Keep out of direct sunlight: If you leave your blunt in direct sunlight, it will dry up the blunt wrap and the product. Keep it in a dark and temperate part of your home.
- Store in an airtight container: An airtight container like a mason jar or a cigar tube will prevent moisture from escaping, which leaves your blunt dry. It’ll also stop moisture from collecting and causing mold. An airtight container is also the only way to maintain the freshness of the cannabis flower.
- Skip plastic for long-term storage: While plastic is fine for short-term storage and product packaging, it can harm the cannabis trichomes in the long run. Instead, opt for glass, foil, and paper for long-term storage.
TROUBLESHOOTING COMMON ISSUES
If you’re having difficulty rolling a blunt, troubleshoot these common issues.
- The blunt is too thin: If your blunt is skinny or there’s too much excess cigar wrapper or blunt paper when you roll the blunt, you’re using too little weed. You don’t need to be conservative with your blunt. Some can handle up to 3 grams of weed. Add more cannabis before giving it another go.
- The cigar wrapper won’t stop cracking: Similar to the weed, you might be too conservative when rehydrating the cigar wrapper. If it’s cracking, it means the cigar is too dry. Use damp paper towels to hydrate it, and keep a small cup of water nearby to wet the blunt as you roll.
- The blunt is “leaking” or coming apart: If your blunt leaks smoke from stray holes or tears or falls apart when smoking it, it wasn’t sealed and baked well. Run your lighter along the joint a few times and let it air dry for 10 to 20 minutes.
CONCLUSION
Blunts combine the flavors of cigars with your favorite cannabis strains, and their size makes them great for big gatherings. Use the above guide to roll your blunt and our tips and tricks to perfect it.
The surest way to roll the perfect blunt is to have the ideal weed. Visit one of Embarc locations for community, culture, and high-quality cannabis.