How to Smoke a Pre-roll

Have you ever eagerly returned from the dispensary, ready to indulge in a new pre-roll you've been eager to try? Picture this: after a long day's work, you finally light it up, take one or two puffs, and suddenly, it canoes or burns unevenly, dampening the joy of the joint.

Unfortunately, this scenario can be all too familiar with pre-rolls, but have you considered that some of that might be user error?

Yes, pre-rolls vary in shape and size, leading to different burns and smokes. However, there are specific steps you can take to ensure a consistently enjoyable pre-roll experience. In this post, we'll delve into how you can optimize your smoking experience with your favorite pre-roll every time.

What is a Pre-roll?

Let’s start with the basics.

Whether purchased at a dispensary or packed at home, a pre-roll is a meticulously crafted cannabis wrap that is ready for immediate consumption. This convenient option eliminates the need for traditional rolling before a session, providing enthusiasts with a hassle-free way to enjoy cannabis.

Pre-rolls can come in many shapes and sizes, including but not limited to the two most popular categories: joints and blunts. With a wide variety of cannabis strains and brands to choose from, pre-rolls offer a vast array of options to cannabis enthusiasts.

Pre-roll Joints vs. Pre-rolled Blunts

Pre-roll joints differ from pre-rolled blunts in terms of their composition and smoking experience. The main difference, generally speaking, is the paper used to make the pre-rolled cones. Traditionally, blunts are wrapped in a tobacco leaf. However, modern pre-roll blunts usually avoid tobacco in favor of hemp or another natural leaf wrap that still provides the thicker paper, richer flavor and slower smoke that blunt-smokers prefer.

The choice between the two depends on individual preferences, with pre-rolls able to cater to a diverse range of cannabis enthusiasts.

Pros of Pre-rolls

So why a pre-roll over, say, a bowl or bong hit of flower, which can be cheaper? Well, there are certain benefits to pre-rolls that make them alluring to many cannabis enjoyers.

Ready for immediate use, pre-rolls offer unparalleled convenience, eliminating the time needed before a session for rolling and preparation.

The market boasts a plethora of brands, each offering a unique selection of pre-rolls. This diversity allows consumers to explore various strains and paper preferences.

Pre-rolls often come in affordable options, making them accessible to many consumers and allowing for experimentation and exploration. Enjoying a convenient and quality smoking experience – or trying something new – doesn't have to break the bank.

Cons of Prerolls

As there are pros, there will always be cons. Let’s look at some of the negatives of pre-rolls so we can make some informed decisions on our pre-rolled cannabis purchases:

Pre-rolls, while certainly affordable, at times, may lean towards the pricier side compared to buying loose flowers. Balancing cost and convenience is a crucial consideration.

Not all pre-rolls are created equal, raising concerns about overall quality. Discerning consumers may encounter variations in the composition and potency of different pre-roll products.

How your pre-roll is packed can impact the burn, leading to uneven experiences. Whether packing your own or purchasing from a brand, striking the right balance in packing and smoking “correctly” is critical to achieving a consistently enjoyable smoke.

At the end of the day it comes down to preference, but just know every pre-roll is different. However no matter your paper, flower and size choice, there are always tips and techniques to achieve a better smoking experience.

How to Pack a Pre-roll

Although many pre-rolls come pre-packaged from dispensaries, you can also pack your own pre-rolls as an alternative to the time-consuming process of rolling your joints and blunts. Packing your pre-rolls is an enjoyable experience that many partake in to get quality joints in a short amount of time. It also allows you to personalize the experience, choosing the flower and paper type of your choice while eliminating not only the time and expense of going to a dispensary, but also the waste that comes with the individual packaging of each pre-rolled joint.

If you’d like a deep-dive into how to pack your own pre-rolls you can read more about it at our previous post. It’s easy and fun and if you have a Perfect Pack machine it’s even faster than trying to find your keys to head to your local weed shop.

Best Pre-rolls for Beginners

Regular pre-roll joints, often called "Jays," are an excellent entry point for beginners. Packed with just flower, they typically have lower THC levels than infused joints. Effects usually occur within 15 to 30 minutes and can last up to 4 hours.

Infused pre-rolls, while offering a similar duration of effects, pack a bit more punch than the typical joint because they combine flower with a higher-potency concentrate. This translates to a more robust high, full-body relaxation and heightened euphoria. The choice ultimately depends on the desired experience, making the cannabis journey enjoyable and tailored to personal preferences.

For those new to the cannabis experience, starting with regular joints is advisable. If you're feeling more adventurous, approach infused joints cautiously – take a few tokes, extinguish them gently, and store them in the original container.

How to Light and Smoke a Pre-roll

We’ve finally made it to reason we’re all here: how do we smoke a pre-roll? It may seem like simply lighting and pulling a hit is all there is to it, but there are quite a few tips that you can pick up to enhance the experience and avoid disasters, like canoeing.

Some pre-rolls come off the shelves packed too tightly. Even at home, especailly if you’re just starting out, it’s not unusual for your pre-rolls to be difficult to pull through. We suggest gently massaging your pre-roll with your fingers to try and loosen up the ground cannabis inside. Do not massage too hard however, you don’t want to rip the paper or create air gaps; consider it "waking the pre-roll up."

Before you ignite your pre-roll, you must recognize patience's pivotal role in achieving a perfectly lit joint. Drawing inspiration from the seasoned habits of cigar smokers, who understand the art of timing, can offer valuable cues for your joint-lighting journey.

Drawing parallels to the lighting process of a regular cigarette, the key here is to focus your flame on the tip of the joint. Ensuring an even burn begins with this deliberate act, and some consumers may prefer a pointed tip for a slow and intentional burn experience.

Distinguish the joint-smoking experience from that of regular cigarettes by refraining from inhaling while lighting. This practice not only aids in the controlled burn of the joint but also overcomes challenges in observing the tip, ensuring a more enjoyable session.

As you prepare to indulge, take a moment to rotate the joint between your fingers gently. This technique, akin to the care taken in handling a cigar, not only readies the joint for consumption but also emphasizes the need to avoid direct contact with the flame. An alternative method involves holding the lighter a few inches away, offering a controlled ignition.

Embark on your joint experience with caution, initiating the journey with gentle and small puffs. This approach ensures a smoother introduction and safeguards your lungs by discouraging the inhalation of large amounts of smoke right from the start.

Slowly swing your joint in a circle in a controlled motion; this will allow the airflow to hit each part of the tip to help combat an uneven burn. If all else fails, put it out, even out the end and re-light your pre-roll.

Sometimes, no matter our precautions, a pre-roll just won’t burn perfectly. Whether you have the cream of the crop-perfect burn or one that continues to fight you, try your best to enjoy your experience, and take these tips into your next pre-roll!

How to Store a Pre-roll

Didn’t finish all of your pre-rolls during your session? No worries! Yet, it’s essential to correctly store your pre-roll to ensure it stays fresh so you can use it later. Consider keeping your pre-roll in a cool place without direct sunlight to prevent it from drying out. Always keep your pre-rolls in airtight packages, like the original tube you purchased, or a mason jar to keep all its freshness locked in!

And remember, there are multiple size pre-roll cones available. Next time, consider packing a smaller pre-roll like a mini "dogwalker" or a 0.5 gram size.

How to Smoke a Pre-roll FAQ:

People often wonder about the nuances of smoking pre-rolls. Here are some common questions and answers to guide you through a seamless pre-roll experience.