It’s a moment many have experienced at some point: You’ve got some rolling papers, and you have some top-shelf, high-grade cannabis, too. You may even have some friends to share it with, either at a party or just hanging out at home. There’s only one problem: no one knows how to roll a joint! If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, take solace. There is a solution. In this post, we’re going to look at pre-rolls, including what they are and the best way to start smoking them.
What Is a Pre-Roll?
First things first, let’s cover exactly what a pre-roll is. Simply put, a pre-roll is a joint that you buy from the store already rolled. They usually come in some form of tube to protect their structural integrity. All you need to do is pop open the tube, remove the pre-roll, and voila! You’re ready to go.
There’s a common misconception that pre-rolls contain sub-par cannabis. Some will tell you that pre-rolls are filled with trim or flower that wasn’t good enough to sell as is, but this isn’t typically true. Generally, pre-rolls contain the same quality buds as what you’d get if you just bought some flower. What’s more, some cannabis companies have specially-grown strains that they use exclusively for their pre-rolls.
Why Should I Buy a Pre-Roll?
Essentially, there are two main reasons to purchase a pre-rolled joint. On one hand, you may not actually have the dexterity or skill to roll a joint yourself. Or, maybe you can roll a joint, you just can’t do it very well. It’s okay to admit—there are plenty of us out there!
On the other hand, maybe you’re a joint rolling master. But on this particular day, you’re just not particularly inspired to ply your craft. That’s okay, too. Rolling a joint is an art, and if you’re not feeling it, you shouldn’t force it.
Or perhaps you’re in a rush, on your way to an event or gathering and just need to grab a pre-roll for the pure convenience factor. No matter the reason, you’re in luck. We live in a time where you can buy professionally-rolled joints at your local shop—something cannabis consumers of yesteryear could only dream of. Whether your skills aren’t there or you just don’t feel like twisting your own joint, pre-rolls offer a great solution!
Different Types of Pre-Rolls
Although we’ve talked about “pre-rolls” as a singular offering so far, that’s not exactly the case. In fact, there are a large variety of pre-rolled joints out there. Here are a few of the most common types that you’re likely to find at your local dispensary.
Glass Tip Pre-Rolls
One newer development in the world of pre-rolls is the glass tip. These are essentially glass mouthpieces attached to the end of a fully-packed pre-roll. They offer a ton of benefits to a consumer. First off, they allow a roller to fill the entire length of a paper with cannabis instead of placing a paper mouthpiece, or “crutch” in one end. They also help keep your pre-rolls from getting clogged up with resin as you smoke them, providing a smooth, thick hit with each puff. Glass tips elevate the pre-roll experience.
Infused Pre-Rolls
Another fairly recent innovation in the pre-roll world, infused pre-rolls may sport a variety of names but they ultimately all boil down to the same idea. Rather than just filling a pre-roll with cannabis flower, infused pre-rolls take it a step further. They also feature some form of extract, too.
For example, some infused pre-rolls have a line of hash that runs down the middle of the joint like a hot dog. Others, sometimes called “caviar,” are dipped in some kind of hash and then rolled in kief to give a frosty outer coating. The end result is a much more potent pre-roll that contains higher THC levels than if it had used flower alone. Because of their potency, we recommend they be left to the more seasoned cannabis consumers.
How Do Pre-Rolls Work: Smoking Pre-Rolls
The best part about pre-rolls is how easy they are to use—their convenience and ease are why they’re so popular to begin with. In fact, smoking pre-rolls is one of the simplest ways to consume cannabis. For example, you need to use a dab rig or pen to get the most out of concentrates. It even takes more work to pack up a bowl or bong than smoking a pre-roll. With a pre-roll, you can simply light it and enjoy.
The Technique
While there’s no “wrong” way to light up a pre-roll, there are some ways that you can make sure you get your joint to burn as evenly as possible. If you don’t light the joint properly, it may “canoe” or “run,” meaning it burns faster on one side. This uneven burning is not ideal and it can result in unnecessary waste.
In order to avoid uneven burning, when lighting, apply the flame to the tip of the joint (the side opposite the mouthpiece). Then, rotate the pre-roll slowly as you hold the flame steady.
Try to fully rotate the joint so that you apply flame to the entire end of the pre-roll. Take a few light, soft puffs while you do this, sucking air quickly into your mouth. However, don’t inhale just yet. Most pre-rolls have extra paper on the end, and you don’t want to smoke that—it can be harsh!
If your pre-roll does end up canoeing, hope is not lost. Just lick the tip of your finger to wet it and then spread your saliva over the part of the joint that’s burning too quickly. That will help to manage the uneven burning.
Shop for Premium Pre-Rolls at Exclusive
Now that you know what a pre-roll is and the best technique for smoking them, it’s time to go out there and sample them for yourself.
At Exclusive, we stock premium pre-rolls from some of Michigan’s best cannabis producers. To find pre-rolls available near you, browse our selection through the online menus at our Ann Arbor, Coldwater, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Muskegon dispensaries. We hope to see you soon!
