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There are a few life skills that are essential to living a good life. Cooking is one. Using a washing machine is another. And then there’s perhaps the most important one - rolling a joint.

However, just twisting up some weed in a rolling paper and clumsily sticking it down isn’t going to cut it. Joint rolling is an art, you see. 

Therefore, if you want to stand out among your fellow stoners, you need to learn how to roll a perfect joint.

But before we break down exactly how you can do that, let’s learn a thing or two about joints. 

History of the joint

The cannabis joint originates in Mexico, with the first reported use coming from a pharmacist at the University of Guadalajara in 1850. Back then, joints were being smoked on the fields by laborers who mixed weed with tobacco in their cigarettes.

The term ‘roach’ - which is the paper or card filter used in joints - is thought to have also originated in Mexico, inspired by the popular Mexican folk song La Cucaracha ("The Cockroach"). The song is about a cockroach who cannot walk because he doesn't have any cannabis to smoke. 

A couple of decades later, joints were commercially available in the US - being advertised in medical journals as a treatment for respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis (THC is now a proven bronchodilator).  

By the 1920s, alcohol prohibition was enacted in the US and this saw the rise of speakeasies. These underground jazz clubs were havens of for the illegal consumption of whiskey and ‘reefer’, which was not yet outlawed. 

During this time, jazz music grew in popularity and touring jazz musicians helped spread the use of ‘jazz cigarettes’ around the country and even abroad. 

In 1937, after years of racially-charged media propaganda, “Reefer Madness” came to a head in the Marihuana Tax Act, which essentially outlawed the possession and sale of the plant. 

By the 1960s, the anti-authoritarian counter-culture was in full swing. War-opposing hippies shared love, peace and joints at festivals like Woodstock and cannabis cemented itself as a symbol of the movement. 

Nowadays, while legal markets are being established all over the world, including in many US states, cannabis and the cannabis joint remain a potent embodiment of personal freedom and sovereignty. 

What makes a perfect joint? 

cannabis connoisseurs can be very particular. Particular about the weed they consume (the strain, how it’s grown, how it’s cured etc.); about how they consume (joints, bongs, vape, dabs, etc); and especially about how their joints are rolled. 

Some will prefer short, stumpy joints with fat roaches, while others will demand big, back-rolled bats with tight roaches. So, at the end of the day, a lot comes down to preference. 

However, there are a few things that most joint-lovers can agree on. For example, the perfect joint will…

• Burn evenly 
• Not go out every few seconds
• Have good airflow
• Not fall apart
• Impress your peers

Now, there are a number of ways to create a joint that achieves all this, including using a joint-rolling machine. But, for the sake of this article, we’ll break down the easiest, most common way to roll a perfect joint by hand. 

What you’ll need 

Before you can roll the perfect spliff, you need to make sure you have a few pieces of equipment to hand. 

• Rolling papers (large/king size are best)

Obviously, if you want to roll the perfect joint, you’ll need good quality rolling papers. King size Raws are a good option you can find in all smoke shops. OCB blacks or Rizla silvers are also favoured by many. 

• Filter tips

In order to make a ‘roach’, you’ll need filter tips. These provide stability and shape to the joint and allow for steady airflow. Some rolling papers come with these tips. Alternatively, you can use a thin piece of card. 

• Grinder or scissors

In order to roll the perfect joint, you’ll need to grind or chop up your weed to the right consistency. A grinder will do this best - a three-piece or simple plastic grinder will do - or alternatively you could just use a pair of scissors. 

• Rolling tray or plate

For somewhere to put your ground-up weed, a rolling tray is ideal but a plate/bowl works just as well. Just don’t sneeze on it. 

• Cannabis

Ah yes, the star of the show. Make sure you have a gram or more of your favourite strain. After all, the perfect joint deserves to be rolled with the best weed you can get your hands on. 

• Tobacco/herbal mix (optional)

Now, combining tobacco with cannabis is a practice that has existed since joints were first smoked over a hundred years ago in Mexico. While it is still very popular in Europe to this day, it’s certainly not for everyone - modern processed tobacco comes with a host of health risks. However, if you find pure weed joints too strong (which many do), you could try mixing it with a herbal mix or even CBD flower. 

• Poker

A thin pencil or something similar will work just fine. You just need something that will allow you to push down the weed in the joint in order to make sure it’s compact. 

How to roll the perfect joint 

In order to roll the perfect joint, follow the steps below. And don’t worry if you don’t get it right the first time. It can be a hard skill to master - but practice makes perfect.

 

Step 1: Grind

Grab your grinder or scissors and about a gram of weed, and get grinding/chopping. You want your weed to be fine enough that it easily crumbles between your fingers with no lumps, but not so fine that it becomes dust-like. 

Make sure to remove any stems and seeds before and during grinding. Dump your ground-up weed on your rolling tray or plate/bowl. 

Step 2: Put the weed on the rolling paper

Pull out a single rolling paper, smooth the crease down with your fingers, and place it on your tray/plate with the sticky side facing up on the edge farthest from you. 

Sprinkle your weed along the crease of the rolling paper, leaving a 1-2cm gap on the right-hand side of the paper for your roach (some people prefer rolling with the roach on the left). Make sure the amount of weed slightly increases from right to left so that you get a slight conical shape when rolling. 

Step 3: Roll your roach and place on paper

Grab either a filter tip or a piece of thin card (about 1cm X 2cm) and roll it up. You don’t want it too small (will restrict airflow) or too big (will not stop weed from being sucked into your mouth). About 4mm in diameter will do. Once rolled, put it on the paper in the gap you made on the right edge.  

Step 4: Pick up rolling paper and roll a sausage

Carefully pick up the paper, trying not to disrupt the weed or roach, and hold it in both hands. Hold the roach end with your first two fingers and thumb, with your thumb at the front, and roll the paper-covered weed into a sausage that is tight to the roach but gets thicker as it goes to the left. 

Step 5: Tuck, lick and stick

Hopefully, it should start to take the shape of a cone-like joint by now. This next part can be tricky, but basically you’re going to try to gently roll the non-sticky edge of the paper around and over the weed-sausage in order to make a cone. 

You then need to lick the sticky bit of the paper, before smoothing it down with your fingers. This may take some practice to perfect.

Step 6: Tap down and add fill cone

You should now have your joint nicely rolled, but it’s not quite ready to smoke just yet. In order to make sure it’s nice and tight, you’re going to have to tap it on a hard surface like a table. 

Hold the joint like you would a pen, with the roach at the bottom, and tap it fairly gently so the weed compacts downwards. You can then add more weed to fill up the joint, followed by more tapping. 

Step 7: Poke and twist

Use your poker instrument to poke down the weed in the joint and make it nice and compact. Then, twist the end of the paper so that no weed can fall out. 

Step 8: Light it and puff

Hold a flame to the twisted end of the joint and wait for it to burn off. Then, while holding the flame near the end, take a few puffs to get it burning. 

Lastly, sit back, relax, and smoke your perfect joint. Feel free to pat yourself on the back as well. You deserve it!

Summary

So, there you have it. You now have all you need to roll the perfect joint. While it’s far from easy and might take a while to perfect, if you keep practising, before you know it, you’ll be impressing friends and strangers alike with your superior joint-rolling ability. 

Let us know how you go in your quest for the perfect joint in the comments. 

That’s right, CBD isolate is completely legal, 100% THC-free, and can be used in a number of creative ways. Before we break down the ways it can be used, let’s discuss what CBD isolate is exactly, and why you should use it. 

What is CBD isolate

Firstly, CBD (short for cannabidiol) is a cannabinoid found in the flowers (or buds) of cannabis plants. Unlike THC, it does not get you high. 

It has, however, been found to have a whole host of positive health properties. Studies have shown CBD to haveanti-inflammatory,anti-anxiety andantidepressant effects.

CBD isolate is, quite simply, pure CBD. It differs from CBD-rich extracts or concentrates in that all other cannabinoids, terpenes and other compounds have been removed entirely. The result is a clean white powder.

Why use CBD isolate

THC-free

CBD isolate is completely free from THC, meaning you need not fear any intoxicating effects or returning a positive drug test. This is vital for many people, including those who are sensitive to THC and those who are subject to drug testing for work or other reasons. 

Cheap

High-quality CBD products can be expensive. For example, a 1,000mg CBD oil is around £60 as standard. 1,000mg of CBD isolate, however, generally costs around £15. 

Versatile

CBD is incredibly versatile. If you’re the creative type, you can really have some fun experimenting with CBD isolate by infusing it into all sorts. We’ll cover some of the best ways below. 

5 ways of using CBD isolate

1. Mix with weed 

CBD has the unique ability to counteract some of the less desirable effects of THC, such as anxiety and paranoia - which the majority of cannabis consumers experience at some point. 

For this reason, sprinkling some CBD isolate into your usual spliff, bong or vape along with weed is a great way to make your high more enjoyable. It can also helpprevent short-term memory impairment, which THC is known to cause. 

2. Cooking

Homemade CBD brownies anyone? That’s right, with CBD isolate, it’s very easy to infuse it into some butter or oil in order to cook or bake with. 

All you need to do to infuse CBD isolate into butter or oil is combine the two over a low heat for an hour or two. CBD is oil soluble, meaning it dissolves in oil readily, but not water soluble, meaning it doesn’t dissolve in water. 

Therefore, you can make a huge range of CBD-infused treats, such as cookies, brownies, chocolate, etc - anything that has oil or butter as an ingredient, basically. 

3. Make your own oils 

CBD isolate can also be used to make your own CBD oils. As stated above, you can infuse CBD isolate into any type of oil. MCT, coconut oil, olive oil and hemp seed oil are all great options. 

Not only will this be much cheaper than buying a pre-made CBD oil, you also have complete control over the ingredients, the process, and the amount of CBD in the oil. You can even add other plant extracts to create unique blends for specific purposes. 

4. Dabbing

Dabbing is becoming more and more popular among recreational cannabis consumers. It’s basically a way to vaporise cannabis concentrates and extracts with the use of a bong-like glass pipe known as a dab rig. 

Dabbing CBD isolate is a fast and efficient way to consume CBD. It can be very useful for people who use CBD for medical reasons and require instant relief. It can also be added to your regular dabs in order to smooth out the high, as described in bullet point no.1. 

5. Make your own cosmetics/topicals

CBD isolate can also be infused into oils in order to make cosmetics and topicals. For example, you could make your own CBD balm for treating stiff joints, cuts and bruises.

Additionally, you could whip together some CBD body cream, moisturiser, or even your own CBD toothpaste. A quick google will give you heaps of ideas for getting creative with CBD isolate. 

Summary

If you want a versatile, cheap and potent CBD product, look no further than CBD isolate. 

It can be added to joints, bongs and vapes as a way to negate the negative effects of THC. It can be used to make your own CBD oil, edibles, cosmetics and topicals. And you can also dab it for instant effects.  

What more could you ask for? Buy our CBD isolate here.

You’ve had a few puffs too many and your heart is pumping. You can feel it banging away in your chest. 

Your breathing is fast and shallow and you are so caught up in your own racing thoughts that you’re not sure what’s going on in your surroundings. This makes you paranoid and anxious. 

If you’ve smoked weed, there’s a good chance you’ve experiences something like this at least once. In fact, moderate to high doses of THC commonly have these effects - especially in inexperienced cannabis consumers. 

But fear not. As well as describing ways to avoid the negative effects of THC, this article will explain what you should do if you do get too high. You’re in good hands. 

How high is too high?

Now, of course, the question of how high is too high is very subjective. Your tolerance to THC depends on a number of factors including your current THC use, age, sex, health, and plenty more. 

Having said that, the negative effects of too much THC are pretty universal. They are:

• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Increased heart rate
• Racing mind/inability to focus on one thought
• Short-term memory problems 

Much rarer negative effects include: 

• Confusion
• Dizziness/fainting
• Hallucinations (visual and/or auditory)
• Vomiting/nausea

If you find yourself experiencing any of these effects after consuming cannabis, you can be pretty sure that you’ve had too much THC. 

How to avoid getting too high?

If you want to make sure you don’t get any negative effects from THC, then there are a number of precautions you can take. 

Stick to dry herb vaping

A dry herb vaporiser heats your bud to temperatures hot enough to vaporise the plant’s oils - which is where you find the cannabinoids and terpenes (among other compounds). Importantly, however, it doesn’t burn the plant material or produce smoke. 

Possibly thanks to the lack of smoke, vaping weed produces a much more subtle, manageable high compared to smoking. What’s more, it’s very easy to take small doses with a dry herb vape. You can simply turn it on, take a few inhales, then turn it off until you fancy another few hits. 

Which brings me to my next point... 

Pace yourself

When it comes to weed, less is often more. What I mean by that is this: while moderate-to-high does of THC can produce negative effects, low doses of THC can produce very positive effects - such as relaxation, relief and a boost in mood.

This was explored in a2017 study that found a low dose of THC produces “stress-relieving effects”, but that higher doses may increase negative mood.For many people, just one ortwo puffs on a joint or vape may be enough for experiencing the positive effects of THC without the negative. 

Avoid edibles bongs, dabs, big joints

Keeping with the theme of moderation, it may be wise for those sensitive to THC to avoid certain consumption methods. Dabbing should not be undertaken lightly by anyone non-experienced with cannabis, nor should bongs or even strong joints. 

And then there’s edibles, which are certainly no joke. Everyone should be very careful when it comes to edibles, even if they are used to smoking. That’s because THC metabolises differently when eaten, which results in effects that are multiple times stronger than when inhaled. 

Just take a few minutes to Google “edibles gone wrong” and you’ll see what I mean. 

Add CBD

This one can’t be stressed enough. There’re a number of studies that have shown CBD can effectively counteract the undesireable effects of THC, such as anxiety and paranoia. 

This study, for example, found that “CBD blocks the ability of THC to overstimulate the ERK pathway in the hippocampus and thus prevent its negative side-effects.”

An ideal ratio of CBD to THC seems to be about 1:1. If you can find this in a strain, then perfect. If not, try adding CBD to your weed in the form of CBD flower, hash or extract. You could also try taking some CBD oil before you consume THC. 

How long does a weed high last?

When inhaled, the effects of THC take less than a minute to come on, and usually last for somewhere between 1-3 hours, give or take. 

When eaten, THC can take up to an hour or more to fully kick in, and can last for anywhere up to 8 hours. There are multiple accounts of people eating large doses of THC in the evening and waking up the next day still high.

However, there are some things you can do to sober up quicker than usual, which we’ll cover in the next section.

7 things to try when you’re too high 

- Vape CBD

As mentioned earlier, CBD has the power to counteract the anxiety, paranoia and short-term memory problems that THC can produce. This makes it very useful for when you get too high. 

If you’re in the midst of a THC overdose, the best way to administer CBD would be via a vape - our super potent45% CBD distillate vape pens would be perfect in this situation. 

Inhalation is a very fast way to get CBD into your bloodsteam, and the effects will be noticeable after a few puffs. CBD oil may be effective over a longer period, but it can take a while to take effect. 

- Smell black pepper 

Pepper contains a terpene that is also found in many cannabis strains. It’s called beta-caryophyllene (BCP) and is known to haveanti-anxiety effects by activating the CB2 receptor.

Black pepper also contains the terpenes pinene, which has been shown to promote mental clarity, and mycrene, which has sedative properties. Both of these could also play a role in pepper’s power to negate THC effects. 

While there isn’t much in the way of scientific studies proving pepper works for coming down off a THC high, there’re enough anecdotal reports and scientific rationale for it to be worth trying. Just be careful not to snort the pepper - burning sinuses probably won’t help you relax.

- Eat pine nuts or pistachios 

In the first century, Roman natural philosopher Pliny wrote of cannabis:

“The gelotophyllis [‘leaves of laughter’ = cannabis] grows in Bactria and along the Borysthenes. If this be taken in myrrh and wine all kinds of phantoms beset the mind, causing laughter which persists until the kernels of pine-nuts are taken with pepper and honey in palm wine.”

Pine nuts contain pinene, which may explain their historic use. Pistachios, which also contain pinene, were recommended in the13th century. 

- Drink lemon water

Sipping on some lemon juice combined with fresh water is one of the oldest treatments for THC intoxication. It was first mentioned in 10th century Persia by celebrated Muslim philosopher Al-Rāzī, who is considered to have been the greatest physician of the Islamic world.

It’s thought that the terpene limonene, which is also found in other acidic fruits, is to thank for lemon’s THC-fighting effects.  

- Move mindfully

This one has been massive for me personally. When I get too high and start to feel uncomfortable, I’ve found moving mindfully to be so helpful in taking me out of my mind and forcing me to be present in the world. 

By “moving mindfully”, I mean to do some intentional movement, whether it be some stretching, yoga, jumping, running, walking or even cycling. The key is, though, to do something that requires a bit of focus outward on your environment. This is why technical activities are best. 

I advise you to get on Youtube and search for a 15-minute mobility/stretch/yoga follow-along and give it a go. You’ll find that the need to focus on the outside world - your position, balance, etc. - helps you enjoy the moment rather than focus on negative thoughts and feelings. 

- Breathe deeply 

Deep, rhythmic breathing into your diaphragm is a powerful way to relax your nervous system, reduce stress, and feel good. Do it while moving mindfully for extra calmness.

You could also try some guided breathing practices on youtube, although I personally find the combination of movement and breathing to be more effective at getting me out of my head than breathing alone. 

- Try nicotine

While tobacco gets a bad rep these days, nicotine is actually a very useful compound when used appropriately. You see, nicotine is a powerful cognitive-enhancer - it increases alertness, improves mood, boosts concentration and memory.

Nicotine is thought to do this by increasing levels of norepinephrine and beta-endorphin, which reduce anxiety.One study found that adding tobacco to a cannabis joint doesn't improve the experience of being stoned, but it does reduce the memory impairment inherent to cannabis use. 

Now that doesn’t mean you should smoke tobacco with your weed, but it does show you the potential that nicotine has to improve cognition, especially if you find yourself pranging out after a bong too many. 

Don’t…

You now know what you should do if you’re too high. Here’s what you shouldn’t do:

- Panic

It’s near enough impossible to die from a THC overdose, and any uncomfortable effects WILL recede in a couple of hours. Therefore, there is no need to panic.  

- Eat loads of sugar

In a lot of ways, sugar acts like a drug - with its highs and lows. Therefore, avoid scoffing your face with sugary treats as the subsequent sugar crash will not help you in your quest to feel better.

Summary

We’ve all been there: took a few hits too many and now you’re feeling awkward and uncomfortable. Perhaps even anxious or a bit paranoid. 

But don’t worry. There’s plenty you can do to calm down and enjoy the experience. Try some pepper, lemon and pine nuts for their terpene content. Take a few drags of a CBD vape and then do some conscious movement, like yoga - and breathe. Maybe put on a low dose nicotine patch. 

After all this, you’ll have a handle on your high and you’ll be ready to make the most of it. Let us know if you have any more tips in the comments.

Joint rolling is one of the highest art forms. Unlike paintings and sculptures which express beauty via form the gloriousness of a joint is also found in its function effects way it magically combusts into ashes smoke.

Ok, that might all be a bit lofty and pretentious, but there’s some truth to it. In fact, there are some people who take the craft very seriously. Such as @michelangeroll, who has a penchant for creating smokable joints shaped like all sorts of animals, objects and people.

Some are even more niche, focussing on creating art with just the filter or roach of a joint. Check outthis Rick and Morty-inspired piece from Reddit user /Lonely-Stoner_.

If that has whetted your appetite to up your joint rolling game, we have some slightly simpler ideas for you to attempt...

1. King L

A ‘King L’ joint is basically an extra long joint. It’s made by sticking twoking-size paperstogether at a right angle to create an ‘L’ shape. After ripping off some of the extra paper, you can then roll your joint as normal - although it will be a bit more fiddly. 

While it’s not the most technical joint to roll, thanks to the impressive size of the finished piece, it can be a good trick to bust out when you have multiple people in the sesh. You can followthis tutorial for a complete how-to.

2. Back roll

Otherwise known as a back strap, a back rolled joint is when you flip the rolling paper so the sticky side is on the underside. You then roll the joint by tucking the sticky side into the back side before sticking down. This leaves you with a long strip of excess paper, which you can burn off in dramatic fashion to impress your peers. 

Back rolls are not just a novelty that are fun to make, they are also favoured by many smokers as you end up smoking less paper, making for a more flavourful experience. 

3. Cross joint

Made famous by Seth Rogan and James Franco in the iconic stoner comedy Pineapple Express, the cross joint is now something that has been attempted by most smokers. 

A cross joint is made by rolling two joints, one long and one short. Using a pin or needle, you then make a hole in both joints before threading the smaller one through the longer one. The hole in the short joint acts as an airhole. Use a bit of gummed paper to then secure the joint and make it airtight. 

To light a cross joint, you’ll need a friend to light two ends as you light the third. Once you’ve done this with a pal, the bond between you will never be broken.

 

4. Tulip

I believe the tulip joint to be a Dutch innovation, although that may only be because tulips are associated with the Netherlands and it was a Dutch guy who first showed me the tulip. Either way, tulip joints are pretty cool - and they get you smoked. 

This is a slightly more advanced roll than the previous three, but with some practice can be a great sesh-stopper. The general idea is to create the stem of the tulip with a long roach card, then build a wide and short cone with a couple of king skins. 

You fill the stubby cone with loads of weed before attaching it to the stem. What you should be left with is a bulbous tulip-like joint. Light the bulb, toke away and the entire bulb will become the cherry of the joint. Here’s a good step-by-step guide to help you.   

5. Creative sculpture

Now, all these suggestions are cool and WILL impress your fellow seshers. However, the great thing about art is that you always have the opportunity to express yourself uniquely. Therefore, why not get really creative and try to roll/build something completely original. 

Check out the@national_joint_league on Instagram for some more inspiration. Here, you’ll see everything from smokable Mario, The Grinch and Rick & Morty, to smokable snakes, guns and birds. There really is no limit. 

Summary

If you’re a creative type who loves to smoke weed, why not combine them both ans explore the art of joint-rolling. A few ideas to get you started include the back strap, the tulip and the famous cross joint. 

However, there really is no limit to what you can create - and smoke. So get imagining!