Cannabis technology and accessories are ever-evolving, from new e-rigs to luxury pipes. Even with the consistent updates of cute new things, some classics never go out of style. I will always love hitting my bong and rolling joints for friends.

Bong rips do the job fast with only a little bit of weed. However, the ritual of rolling up fragrant, ground cannabis on a crisp paper paired with that first flavorful puff is an unmatched experience. When I can, I roll up.

Rolling a joint is a skill. Like any skill, it takes practice. The first ones are likely to turn out a little wonky. With some base knowledge and gained experience, anyone can roll an excellent joint.

Rolling a joint step-by-step

Learning to roll a joint is easy with the right supplies and directions, but crafting the best joints will always require experience and practice.

Supplies:

Papers
Ground weed
Thick cardstock paper or crutch

Optional:

Rolling tray
Grinder

1. Prepare the crutch by rolling it into the ideal toking diameter.
2. Lay out the papers, crutch, and ground cannabis on a rolling tray.
3. Hold the paper with one hand and use the other hand to sprinkle flower into the paper.
4. While holding the open, flower-filled paper, grab the crutch and nestle it into the mouth-side of the joint, leaving just an ⅛’’ hanging out of the paper.
5. Take the joint in both hands with your thumbs on the side of your body and the other fingers on the other side.
6. Roll the paper together to form the flower into a snake until the side closer to your body tucks between the flower snake and the inside of the other side of the paper.
7. Once the joint is tucked, don’t hesitate. Roll the paper up until the glue right after tucking.
8. Lick the glue and pat the paper down to adhere to itself.
9. Use the back of a pen, knitting needle, or whatever to tamp the flower down lightly. Pushing the weed down too hard will mess with how the rollie burns, be light with it.
10. Push the crutch all the way in. If too much space is left in the flower, hold the open end of the joint paper together and shake it a few times until the flower settles down to the crutch.
11. Light the paper without cannabis in it to burn it off, then light the joint as usual.

Joint rolling tip #1: Quality flower = quality roll

Flower quality impacts the smoking experience immensely. This rings especially true when smoking a joint. Drier flower will be difficult to roll into an easy-to-tuck snake shape. The danker the bud, the easier the tuck.

Joint rolling tip #2: Value the tuck

Speaking of tuck, this is the crux of the joint rolling process. A bad tuck will lead to a joint that falls apart while smoking or smoking poorly from being too loose.

Once the joint looks ready to tuck, take a deep breath and prepare to complete the whole process in one move after the tuck. Think tuck, roll, lick. That is all one move. This skill level isn’t acquired in one day of rolling joints, but beginners can aspire to reach this point.

Joint rolling tip #3: Practice makes perfect

Becoming an expert requires one crucial thing: practice. Failure is a part of the process. Beginners should not let crappy first tries deter them from continuing. Eventually, your creations will get aesthetic. But don’t worry about that, at first. Those not looking to over-handle their bud might consider practicing rolling tobacco at first until the outcome is smokeable.

Joint rolling tip #4: Trust yourself

There are components to mind while rolling joints. The tuck is essential, as is learning the right consistency and aeration to leave in the flower. With practice, this becomes less stressful–trust yourself. The best joint rollers go into that tuck-and-roll moment with a level head and steady heart, and with practice, you can, too.

Rolling joints is an art form that should never be lost

Learning to roll a joint is a core memory for most cannabis connoisseurs. The skill comes with practice, some help from friends, and beginner tips. With enough experience and weed, everyone can roll prize-winning trick joints.