Did you know that 55% of people who consume cannabis say that they exclusively smoke it? It’s one of the oldest and simplest ways to get THC or CBD into your system. It doesn’t matter whether you’re packing a bowl or rolling it up; when you smoke, you usually know what to expect.
Two of the most popular ways to smoke weed are in the form of a joint or a blunt—both are convenient and generally inexpensive. If you’re new to smoking or have always stuck to edibles, then you might be wondering what the major differences are. Learn about how they’re made, their interesting history, and why you may prefer one over the other.
What Is a Joint?
A joint is a cannabis cigarette, usually made with ground cannabis flower, a rolling paper and an optional filter or “crutch” at one end.
The most common brands of rolling papers can be found in most gas stations and convenience stores, but many joint rollers prefer thinner and higher-grade paper that won’t have a strong taste. Rolling papers can be made from many different materials, but two of the most common are hemp and rice papers. Both are thin, so you must be careful when rolling them to prevent tearing from your hands or stems you didn’t notice when grinding your bud.
Filters can also be made from various materials. If you’re in a pinch, you can just use a small piece of whatever thick paper you have on hand. The packaging from your rolling papers will work just fine. You can also purchase wood and glass tip filters that you can roll into your joints and use indefinitely.
Rolling is a skill that takes time to learn and perfect. For convenience, there are manual and electric rolling machines on the market that can help you roll a great joint every time. Alternatively, many dispensaries sell pre-rolled joints containing anywhere from 0.5 to 1.5 grams of ground cannabis and are ready to smoke.
What Is a Blunt?
A blunt is very similar to a joint, but it can be thought of more like a cigar than a cigarette. Some are made with thick rolling paper called “wraps,” which have been cut in a square or rectangle and have glue on one end to help them seal properly. Other blunts are made from traditional tobacco leaf.
Some people will buy cigarillos or cigars to split them open and empty out the tobacco. They can then be more easily refilled with ground weed and resealed to smoke. Though not as many people roll blunts using filters as they do with joints, they are still an option that many opt for since they prevent you from burning yourself, wasting bud, or being left with an ashtray full of blunt roaches.
Is There Tobacco in a Blunt?
Technically, yes, but not the way you might expect. The only tobacco used in a blunt is the wrap itself; no actual tobacco (ground like in a cigar or cigarette) is typically used when rolling a blunt. The wraps will have some amount of nicotine in them, which can be addictive. They’ll also add a little extra kick to your buzz, and people who enjoy that feeling sometimes prefer to smoke blunts exclusively.
Some blunt wraps are made from hemp and contain no tobacco or nicotine, making them a suitable alternative for those who don’t consume nicotine. Like hemp papers, hemp wraps have the same consistency as a tobacco leaf blunt wrap but are made from a more desirable material.
If a blunt or joint is rolled with a mixture of tobacco and weed, then it’s called a “spliff.” A spliff can be rolled with any type of rolling paper or blunt wrap. The thing that makes it a “spliff” is its combination of ground tobacco and cannabis. Usually, this is a 50/50 “split” which likely led to the origin of its name in the first place.
Blunts vs Joints: History & Origins
Joints and blunts have been part of cannabis history for hundreds of years. Their popularity has only skyrocketed since states started legalizing weed, and the acceptance of the plant has become more widespread.
A Brief History of the Joint
Supposedly, the first recorded use of the word “joint” was in Mexico in the 1850s, when cannabis use was much more common there than in the US. Another popular theory is that the term originated from jazz musicians in the 1930s. It was said that the term “joint” came about because it represented the “joint” effort of improvisational jazz and music as a whole.
By the time the “flower child” era of hippies came around in the 60s, the term was commonplace among those who consumed cannabis. Now, it’s part of the mainstream cannabis vernacular.
A Brief History of the Blunt
Even if we can’t say for sure why they became so popular there, we can at least trace the history of blunts mostly to the Caribbean. It’s believed that blunts were first created there because tobacco leaves were easy to come across and dry out, and rolling papers weren’t readily available—and unless they were homemade.
The Caribbean tradition grew in popularity about the same time brands like White Owls and Phillies Blunts (where the term “blunt” likely came from and was popularized) were cropping up across the US. It wasn’t long before people shifted to using them for cannabis.
All this prompted brands like ZigZag, who also makes rolling papers, to create wraps made of tobacco leaf material. In more recent history, celebrities like Snoop Dogg, who often smoke blunts, have increased the popularity of this alternative to more traditional joints.
What’s the Deal With Flavored Blunt Wraps and Rolling Papers?
Both blunts and rolling papers can be found in a number of flavors. Rolling papers are often unflavored but can be found with flavors like blueberry, cherry, or even birthday cake.
Meanwhile, blunts have a more extensive and consistent range of flavor options, with numerous brands like Swisher Sweets, White Owl, or Game offering flavors like white grape, peach, mango, or even chocolate.
Flavors are popular among blunt lovers. People who exclusively smoke blunts are often fans of one brand or flavor of blunt over another. Similarly, people who prefer joints will likely have a strong opinion on which rolling papers burn best or offer the best flavor.
Which Is Better: Joints or Blunts?
While similar, the main difference between a blunt and a joint is the material used for rolling it. Joints are rolled with papers, most often made of hemp or rice. Blunts are primarily rolled from tobacco leaves or with wraps made from the tobacco leaf. Joints are also smaller and can offer a more “pure” flavor while smoking, whereas blunts are larger and have a distinctive taste because of the tobacco leaf wrap.
Hemp blunts will have a harsher and more notable flavor than hemp papers. Some find it pairs well with weed, while others think it overpowers the flower, preventing you from getting the best flavor experience.
Neither a blunt nor a joint is necessarily better than the other. Both have pros and cons, and everyone will have their own opinion on “which is better.” Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference, where there is no wrong answer.
Find Premium Joints, Blunts, and More at Exclusive
Now that you’ve got some background on two very popular ways to smoke cannabis, are you ready to sample an expertly rolled joint or blunt for yourself? No matter your preference, Exclusive has what you’re looking for with a variety of strains, potencies, and price points to meet your needs.
Visit your local Exclusive Michigan dispensary to shop the state’s best selection of premium pre-rolls and blunts. Don’t forget to sign up for our VIP rewards program so you can start saving with your very first visit. Shop in-store, online, or download our app for extra convenience.
Want to know more about pre-rolls and browse other foundational cannabis knowledge? Check out our post to learn all about ready-to-smoke joints or browse the blog.
