How to Roll a Joint With Cannabis Rolling Papers

Quick answer

Grind 0.5 g to 1 g of cannabis flower. Fold a paper crutch. Hold a 1 1/4 or king size rolling paper with the gum line up. Fill the paper, tuck the front edge over the flower, roll with both thumbs, wet the gum line, and seal. Pack the tip. Light the end with the flame 1 cm away and rotate the joint.

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What you need

Rolling papers. A 1 1/4 paper measures 78 mm. A king size paper measures 110 mm. Slim papers hold less flower than standard width.
Crutch. A strip of index card or a store-bought tip, 1 cm wide.
Grinder or scissors.
Cannabis flower, 0.5 g to 1 g.

Steps

1. Grind the flower

A grinder gives an even particle size. Remove stems and seeds. A coarse grind lets air pass. Fine powder packs tight and blocks the draw. Set aside 0.5 g for a 1 1/4 paper. Use 1 g for king size.

2. Build the crutch

Fold a 1 cm strip of card into a Z shape. Roll the folds into a cylinder about 8 mm across. The crutch keeps the tip open and stops resin from closing the air path. Place the crutch at one end of the paper.

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3. Hold the paper

The gum line faces up. Pinch the paper into a V shape between the thumb and index finger. The crease runs down the middle.

4. Fill the paper

Spread flower along the crease. Keep the layer the same thickness from the crutch to the open end. Tap the paper to settle the flower. A level fill burns in a straight line.

5. Tuck and roll

Pinch the front edge of the paper. Roll it over the flower with both thumbs. Keep tension constant. The flower sits in a firm tube. Loose flower falls out. A tight tube blocks airflow.

6. Seal the gum line

Lick the gum strip with one light pass. Too much saliva weakens the seal. Roll the joint closed and press the gum line against the paper. Let it dry for 10 seconds.

7. Pack and light

Tap the tip on a hard surface. Twist the open end or leave it flat. Hold a flame 1 cm from the tip. Draw and rotate the joint. Keep the flame off the paper to slow the burn.

Paper types and weights

Rice, hemp, flax, and wood pulp are common fibers. Paper weight runs from 12 gsm to 24 gsm. Thin papers, 12 to 14 gsm, burn fast and add little taste. Thicker papers burn slow. Bleached papers are white. Unbleached papers are brown or tan. Gum lines use gum arabic or a similar plant gum.

Canoeing and other problems

A canoe is a joint that burns down one side. Causes include an uneven fill, a loose roll, or a breeze. Fix: rotate the joint, relight the low side, or reroll with a level fill. A joint that pulls hard has a tight roll or a fine grind. A joint that falls apart has too little gum contact.

Legality and health

Cannabis is illegal under US federal law. State rules differ. NIDA reports that THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. Flower in legal markets tests near 15% to 30% THC. The CDC notes that smoking cannabis sends tar and irritants into the lungs. Edibles and vaporizers are alternatives. Keep cannabis out of reach of children and pets.