A blunt is to a joint what a cigar is to a cigarette. Or more simply, it is a cigar that has been emptied of its loose-leaf tobacco and filled with cannabis. While not quite as iconic as the standard joint, the cultural significance of the blunt cannot be ignored.
Many prefer the added buzz created by the mix of cannabis and its tobacco wrap, while others appreciate the variety of flavors available in a lot of cigarillos and blunt wraps.
Rolling a blunt has its own issues, as opposed to rolling a joint, so to help you roll up your own, we’ve prepared a simple guide to blunt rolling.
Advantages of smoking a blunt
People tend to either love or hate blunts. The main complaint against them is they have tobacco and can make for a harsh smoke.
Some reasons people prefer blunts are:
- Heightened effects: the tobacco adds a buzziness and energy to your high
- Flavor and aroma: some people love the smell of a burning blunt, especially if you use a nice cigar or a flavored blunt wrap
- Portable: like joints, you can take a blunt anywhere
- Slow burn: Blunts burn slower than joints, so they last a lot longer in your smoking circle
Additionally, you will need rolling papers. Rolling papers are the most important element of a blunt, since the tobacco leaf wrap is the very definition of what makes a blunt a blunt. Selecting the right tobacco wrap is at the heart of rolling blunts, as blunt aficionados tend to be very loyal to one particular brand of tobacco wrapping paper, using their brand of choice almost exclusively.
There are two main ways to procure your tobacco wrapping paper. Traditionally, you purchase a pre-rolled cigar or cigarillo, empty out the contents, and then repurpose the tobacco wrapping paper by filling it with weed before re-rolling it into a blunt. Popular cigar and cigarillo brands include:
- Swisher Sweets
- Dutch Masters
- Backwoods
- White Owl
- Phillies
The other type of blunt wrap is a tobacco leaf paper that comes as-is and is not a pre-filled cigar or cigarillo. Zig Zag Blunt Wraps are probably the most common wrap in this category.
Get your materials for rolling a blunt
Start by gathering the necessary supplies:
- Cannabis strain of choice
- Cigar, cigarillo, or blunt wrap
- Grinder and blade are optional, but may be helpful for those new to rolling
Any cigar or cigarillo will do, but we recommend one that isn’t completely dried out, as it’ll break easier and be harder to roll. These days you can usually find blunt wraps at any corner store, which are like one giant rolling paper made out of tobacco.
Common cigarillos you can find at most corner stores are:
- Swisher Sweets
- Black & Mild
- Phillies
- Dutch Masters
- White Owl
How much weed should you put in a blunt?
Blunts are bigger than your average joint so you’ll need more weed. Typically, 1-2 grams should be enough for one blunt, but if you are using a big cigar, you may need more. Consider how many people will be in your smoking circle.
What you need to roll a blunt
To roll and smoke blunts like a pro you will need a handful of key components. Obviously, you will need your cannabis strain of choice. Since you’ll have to grind your bud before rolling your blunt, it is best to also have a reliable grinder. To keep your work space tidy, a rolling tray will also come in handy.
Additionally, you will need rolling papers. Rolling papers are the most important element of a blunt, since the tobacco leaf wrap is the very definition of what makes a blunt a blunt. Selecting the right tobacco wrap is at the heart of rolling blunts, as blunt aficionados tend to be very loyal to one particular brand of tobacco wrapping paper, using their brand of choice almost exclusively.
There are two main ways to procure your tobacco wrapping paper. Traditionally, you purchase a pre-rolled cigar or cigarillo, empty out the contents, and then repurpose the tobacco wrapping paper by filling it with weed before re-rolling it into a blunt. Popular cigar and cigarillo brands include:
- Swisher Sweets
- Dutch Masters
- Backwoods
- White Owl
- Phillies
The other type of blunt wrap is a tobacco leaf paper that comes as-is and is not a pre-filled cigar or cigarillo. Zig Zag Blunt Wraps are probably the most common wrap in this category.
Step-by-step instructions for rolling a blunt
Step 1: Grind your weed
Before you start rolling your blunt, it’s a good idea to complete a little prep work. Most importantly, that means having your weed ground up and ready to go. That way when you’ve broken down and cleaned out your wrap, you can move right into rolling your ground cannabis.
The best way to grind your weed is with a grinder. This tool gives you the most consistent grind, which translates into a smoother, more even burn. If you don’t have a grinder, carefully break apart your weed with your fingers. Shoot for picking it apart into small pieces that are more or less the same size. As you go, be as delicate as you can to minimize damage to the cannabinoid-rich trichomes.
Step 2: Select your wrap
As mentioned above, die-hard blunt smokers tend to define themselves by their wrap of choice. If you’re new to blunts, experiment with a handful of different brands. You might even want to test a flavored wrap. Enjoy figuring out which blunt wrap you like the best. Or, if you like a couple of different brands, feel free to switch things up according to how you’re feeling at the moment.
Step 3: Break down the wrap
The cleanest and most precise way to break down the wrap is to use a razor blade to split the cigar or cigarillo lengthwise down the middle. You can also use your hands; just be very careful that you break apart the wrapper without tearing it all the way through or cracking it. Once you’ve opened the cigar or cigarillo, simply empty out and discard the tobacco inside the wrap.
Step 4: Moisten the wrap
It’s a good idea to get the wrap slightly moist, as this makes the tobacco leaf more pliable and easier to work with. You can use either water or saliva for this. Some folks lick the blunt wrap while others use a paintbrush moistened with water. Whatever you do, don’t get it sopping wet — you don’t want the entire thing to disintegrate. Just moisten the wrap enough to make it easier to handle.
Step 5: Place weed in wrap
Hold the tobacco wrap in one hand, typically your non-dominant hand. Position your index fingers and thumbs in such a way that you form the wrap into a U-shaped trough. Now, grab a pinch of your ground-up marijuana and place it inside the tobacco wrap, forming a line that runs the full length of the wrap. Be sure you don’t overfill it—you still need enough space to wrap the tobacco leaf into a cylinder that completely encases the marijuana.
Step 6: Roll up your blunt
Use both hands to gently rock the wrapping paper back and forth. As you engage in this motion, you should be tamping down and evening out the marijuana. This technique will begin to shape your blunt into a cylinder that is uniform in thickness. When you’ve got the right shape formed, bring one edge of the wrap up and over the marijuana, and tuck it underneath the opposite side of the wrap. At this point, the wrap should completely encase the marijuana.
Step 7: Seal your blunt
Hold the edge of the wrap that is now on top of the other edge and use your tongue to dampen it. Lick the inside of the wrap and, when it’s moist, press it down on top of the other edge of the wrap. The moisture should make the tobacco stick to itself, thereby sealing the blunt shut. Be sure that the seam you just made is sealed along the entire length of the blunt.
Finally, use a lighter and run the flame up and down along the seam. This dries out the tobacco and locks the seam into place so the blunt doesn’t fall apart when you’re smoking it.
Step 8: Light up your blunt and enjoy
Now it’s time to light up one end of your blunt and pull the smoke through the other end. Enjoy!
Make sure you grind the weed before rolling a blunt. That way is 10x easier to roll for beginners. You take the stems out your weed first and roll with your thumbs, tuck with your thumbs it’s what easier. Hope you’ll find my tips useful.
I’ve been trying to find the easiest way to roll the blunts and this article is made it easy af. Thank you for the tutorial!