Lighting up a joint is one of the most popular methods of consuming cannabis, and for good reason; they are easy to share, convenient, and fun. So, infusing them can only make them that much better, right?
In this guide, we’ll explore the world of infused pre-rolls, from what they are to the myriad of concentrates that are used to infuse them. Feeling adventurous? We’ll even guide you through crafting your very own infused pre-roll!
Ready? Let’s get rolling!
What Is an Infused Pre-Roll?
You may already be familiar with what a pre-roll is: a ready-to-smoke joint that is prepared and rolled with cannabis flower and ready to be enjoyed right out of the package.
These kinds of joints are sold in pre-packaged, easily portable tubes or multi-packs and usually come in various strains, sizes, and strengths. If you didn’t know, now you know!
But, what is an infused pre-roll?
An infused pre-roll is a ready-to-consume joint that has a cannabis concentrate added to it, often for potency and flavor. Concentrates are highly powerful cannabis extracts that typically isolate and amplify psychoactive cannabinoids and terpenes in the plant. Concentrates come in several forms, including wax, oil, hash, shatter, crumble, sauce… the list goes on!
Since they contain cannabis concentrates, infused pre-rolls are also highly potent. Infused pre-rolls offer an increased, more concentrated dose of the plant’s active compounds, often delivering stronger effects than traditional pre-rolls or your own hand-rolled joints.
Infused pre-rolls are crafted quite like a traditional pre-roll, with the main difference being the added concentrate. Concentrates can be rolled in with the flower, drizzled, melted, or sprinkled around the joint after it’s rolled, or even infused directly into the flower to create products like moon rocks. Some of the best pre-rolls are made using multiple concentrates and even a combination of these methods.
These pre-rolls give anyone, even those who can’t roll a joint or take a full dab, the opportunity to puff on a highly potent product that is meticulously crafted—without actually crafting it.
What Concentrates Are Used to Make Infused Pre-Rolls?
The world of cannabis concentrates is wide and varied—and still growing! Since their introduction in the 90s, cannabis concentrates have risen to become one of the most popular ways of consuming cannabis. From budder to batter, there’s not shortage of flavors, aromas or textures that can be used to infuse a pre-roll. Here are a few of the most common concentrates you’ll find.
Hash and Bubble Hash
When the cannabis plant’s trichomes are compressed using heat and pressure, pressed hash is formed. Pressed hash can be broken apart and added into pre-rolls for a more potent experience. Bubble hash—a type of hash created with water, ice, and mesh screens—is also used.
Kief
Kief is the finely ground, powdery residue of cannabis, consisting of dried trichomes, or resin glands, that are rich in cannabinoids and terpenes. Kief can be sprinkled into the flower before rolling, or you might see it finely dusting the outside of infused pre-rolls, too.
Shatter
Shatter is one of the most commonly available cannabis concentrates, characterized by its translucent appearance and glass-like texture. Shatter is a popular concentrate for dabbing; however, it can be broken up and sprinkled into a pre-roll or heated up and melted to coat the joint once it’s rolled.
Wax
Wax is characterized by its waxy consistency. Depending on the type of wax, it can be added to a pre-roll either by sprinkling it in with the flower or dipping the pre-roll into melted wax once it’s rolled.
Diamonds
Diamonds are one of the purest cannabis concentrates, consisting of isolated cannabinoids, typically tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). Diamonds don’t contain terpenes, which is why they are often utilized with terpene sauces. Diamonds resemble coarse sugar and can easily be added to pre-rolls.
Live Resin
Live resin is a type of concentrate made using fresh cannabis flower that is frozen in order to preserve and extract the plant’s flavorful terpenes and flavonoids. Live resin is an amazing option to infuse a pre-roll with due to its high concentration of terpenes.
Badder and Budder
Badders and budders are cannabis concentrates that have been whipped under high heat. They are characterized by their soft, creamy, and sometimes saucy consistency, similar to butter or cake batter. Badders and budders can be rolled into thin ropes and added to pre-rolls.
Crumble
Crumble is a cannabis concentrate characterized by its dry consistency that, as the name implies, crumbles when handled. Crumble can easily be sprinkled into a joint to make an infused pre-roll.
Rosin
Rosin is made when cannabis flower or hash is squeezed under heat and pressure. Rosin can easily be made at home, and can be manipulated into several different textures, making it ideal for those looking to make their own infused pre-rolls.
Terp Sauce
Terp sauce is a cannabis concentrate abundant in both terpenes and THC. Infusing a pre-roll with terp sauce is one surefire way to kick your experience into high gear! Because of its saucy and textured consistency, it’s harder to work with than other concentrates when infusing a pre-roll, but if a highly potent, flavorful and aromatic joint is what you’re after, terp sauce is a great choice.
Moon Rocks
Moon rocks are cannabis buds typically dipped in a cannabis concentrate and then rolled in kief. Moon rocks can be broken up and mixed in with your flower for an infused pre-roll.
Caviar
Cannabis caviar is moon rocks without the added layer of kief. Caviar can also be broken up and mixed in with flower to be rolled.
How to Craft A Simple Infused Pre-Roll: Step-By-Step
- Choose your concentrate
- Gather your materials
- Grind the flower
- Start shaping your pre-roll
- Add your flower and concentrate
- Roll, seal, and smoke!
If you’re feeling crafty, you can make your own infused pre-roll in just a few easy steps.
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Choose your concentrate
First and foremost, you will need to decide what kind of concentrate you want to infuse your pre-roll with. Experiment with different textures and techniques, considering the diverse range of concentrates available. Kief is a very easy way to get started with infused pre-rolls!
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Gather your materials
Now that you’ve selected your concentrate, you will want to gather the rest of your materials to roll a joint. You will need:
- A grinder
- Cannabis flower (½ a gram or more)
- Concentrate of choice
- Rolling papers of choice
- Filter (optional)
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Grind the flower
Break up your bud using your grinder or by hand. Grinding your flower will make it easier to roll!
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Start shaping your pre-roll
If using a filter, place it on the rolling paper near one end—make sure the adhesive strip on the paper is facing up! Hold the filter in place with your thumb as you proceed to the next step.
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Add your flower and concentrate
Sprinkle your ground cannabis flower evenly onto your paper, holding the filter in place while you do and leaving a about ¼-½ inch of space at the top. Next, distribute your chosen concentrate over the flower if youre infusing the inside of the joint. Be mindful of the overall balance, aiming for an even mix. This combination will contribute to a well-blended and flavorful smoking experience.
If you’re using a harder-to-handle type of concentrate, you might want to lay the concentrate down on the paper and then cover with flower—do what makes sense! If you are planning on adding your concentrate after the pre-roll is made, simply roll the joint using cannabis flower as you normally would.
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Roll, seal, and smoke!
Gently mold one edge of the paper around the filter. Holding this in place, slowly roll in small increments keeping it all snug until your cone is fully formed. If you’re new to rolling joints, this part takes practice! Ensure it’s tightly rolled but not too tight to impede airflow. Once the paper has wrapped around the flower and concentrate, moisten the adhesive edge slightly to seal the joint.
If you have chosen to add concentrate after the joint was rolled, now’s the time to dip, coat, or otherwise infuse. Malleable concentrates like wax or sauce are great to either spiral the surface or completely coat the joint, and and be used as a kind of “glue” for kief, too.
Congratulations! Your infused pre-roll is ready to be enjoyed. Light it up, take a puff, and savor the customized blend you’ve crafted.
Consumption Tips For an Enjoyable Infused Pre-Roll Experience
Infused pre-rolls are among some of the most potent ways of enjoying cannabis. If you’re new to concentrates or infused pre-rolls, here are a few tips to remember before you light up.
- Start slow. When it comes to THC consumption, the rule of thumb is to always start low and go slow. This must be emphasized when it comes to smoking a potent infused pre-roll! Start with a puff or two and wait to see how it hits.
- Be comfortable. Choose a comfortable and familiar environment to smoke in.
- Learn what works for you. Pay attention to the strain and levels of THC/CBD in your infused pre-roll to learn what works best for you.
Shop Michigan’s Best Infused Pre-Rolls at Exclusive
Excited to shop the best-infused pre-rolls in Michigan or the ingredients to make your own? It’s time to explore with Exclusive.
Head on over to one of our Michigan dispensary locations to browse through a curated selection of premium infused pre-rolls today. Or, shop online for a range of options—all available for in-store purchase, convenient pickup, and delivery.
Got questions about infused pre-rolls or any of our products? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us anytime–we’re happy to help. See you soon!
