Pre Roll Cones Topic Categories: 3. Rolling Techniques and Tips

What is a joint?

A joint is the most widely-used term for a cannabis cigarette. They can also be referred to as doobies, J’s, fatties, and spliffs, amongst many other nicknames. Seen as a common staple amongst avid cannabis smokers, a good joint can be difficult to roll. There are various methods and types of joints you can roll, but in this article we are going to focus on how to roll the perfect cone.

Supplies Needed: your dry herbs, favorite rolling papers, filter tips or other thin cardboard material to make a filter, a grinder, and a flat rolling surface.

Step One:

Grind your herbs first (if you are living in a legal state, we recommend the use of cannabis. If you are not living in a legal state, we recommend using CBD cannabis with a THC content under the federal legal limit of 0.3%). It is best to use a grinder to break down your dry herbs, leaving them fine as possible. Using your fingers will result in a coarse grind, ultimately creating a lumpy joint that has a higher chance of boating or canoeing (burning unevenly).

Step Two:

Create your own filter, crutch, carb—whatever you want to call it. You can use pre-made filters, glass tips, wood tips, hard paper, thin cardboard, or even a piece of a business card (in this case, we used a piece of the box the papers came). To make a joint filter, begin by cutting a small rectangular shape of your chosen filter material. Using that piece, create a small “M” shape at one end. Then, roll until you reach your desired thickness.

If necessary, you can discard or tear off any extra material if your filter seems too bulky. Although a filter is not mandatory when smoking a joint, it will bring stability and help you avoid infamous “scoobie snacks” from pulling through—the terrible experience when pieces of your herb get accidentally sucked into your mouth!

Step Three:

Grab one of your favorite rolling papers and lay it open. Most rolling papers usually come creased down the center, but in this instance ours does not. We recommend you crease your paper, if it doesn’t already come that way, prior to laying it open. Line up the filter at the end of one side of your paper. Fill the remaining center, or middle, area of the opened paper with your grinded herbs, using your crease as your center point.

Begin to create a cone shape by adding more herbs on the opposite end of the filter and less as you move closer (see image below). When finished step 3, your unrolled joint should begin to resemble the shape of a baseball bat.

Step Four:

Carefully pick up your set-up and gently begin to roll the paper up and down between your thumb and index finger to lightly compress the contents. You will have to pick it up completely, if you haven’t already, to roll it smoothly. This is one of the hardest steps to master without spillage, but learning to do so effectively will make the entire process faster and easier.

Once your dry herbs are in a more compact bat shape, starting from the filter end, hold the end of your soon-to-be-J and slide your thumb fully across while simultaneously rolling/tucking the paper into its cone shape. Remember to slide your thumb the full length of the J with every roll to make the cone tight and smooth. When the non-filter side (fat side of the bat) begins to have limited J paper remaining to roll, pause and lick the sticky-glue strip all the way across your paper. Once you’ve licked, continue the rolling process.

Step Five:

Once you can’t roll anymore and your cone shape has officially formed, begin to pack it down. You can do so by gently tapping the filter-end of your joint on a table a few times or by using the end of a pen and gently compacting the herbs through the fat, cone-head opening.

This should leave you a gap between the ending of the grinded herbs and the actual ending of the paper. You can then twist and squeeze the remaining paper into a long tip, making the joint fully intact. You have now officially made a cone joint!

Step Six:

Relax, sit back & smoke away! You likely won't roll a perfect joint on the first try but practice makes perfect. Besides, there’s a reason most packs of rolling papers contain 50 sheets of paper!

Rolling a pre-roll cone is a skill that can take some practice to perfect. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced roller, mastering the art of rolling can greatly enhance your smoking experience. Here are some rolling techniques and tips to help you achieve a perfectly rolled pre-roll cone:

1. Prepare Your Materials: Before you start rolling, gather all the necessary materials. You will need your pre-roll cone, finely ground herbs, a grinder (if needed), a rolling tray or clean surface, and any additional accessories you prefer, such as filters or packing tools.

2. Grind Your Herbs: If your herbs are not already finely ground, use a grinder to break them down into smaller pieces. Finely ground herbs allow for a smoother and more even burn, resulting in a better smoking experience.

3. Fill the Cone: Hold the pre-roll cone with the wider end facing up. Using your fingers or a packing tool, gently pack the ground herbs into the cone. Start with a small amount and gradually add more until the desired level of fullness is achieved. Be careful not to overpack the cone, as this can affect the airflow and burn.

4. Shape and Tuck: Once the cone is filled, use your fingers to shape and evenly distribute the herbs within the cone. Starting from the wider end, gently roll the cone between your fingertips, moving towards the narrow end. Apply even pressure to create a cylindrical shape. As you roll, tuck the edge of the rolling paper over the herbs to secure them in place.

5. Twist and Seal: With the herbs securely rolled inside the cone, twist the excess rolling paper at the narrow end to seal the cone. This twisted end will act as the mouthpiece, ensuring that the herbs do not fall out while smoking. You can also use a lighter to slightly heat and seal the twisted end for added security.

6. Fine-Tune and Adjust: After rolling, examine the cone for any loose areas or gaps. Use your fingers or a packing tool to gently push the herbs down, ensuring an even and consistent fill. This will help promote a more even burn and prevent any wastage.

7. Practice Makes Perfect: Remember that rolling a pre-roll cone takes practice. Don't get discouraged if your first attempts are not perfect. Experiment with different techniques, adjust the amount of herbs, and find a rolling style that works best for you. Over time, you will develop your own rolling skills and achieve the desired results.

8. Use Rolling Aids: If you find it challenging to roll a cone by hand, consider using rolling aids such as cone fillers or rolling machines. These devices can help streamline the rolling process and provide consistent results, especially if you're rolling multiple cones or prefer a more uniform shape.

Conclusion

Rolling a pre-roll cone is a craft that can be refined with time and practice. By following these rolling techniques and tips, you can enhance your rolling skills and achieve perfectly rolled cones for an enjoyable smoking experience. Remember to be patient, experiment with different methods, and find what works best for you. With practice, you'll be rolling impeccable pre-roll cones that burn evenly and deliver a satisfying smoking session every time.