Rolling a high-quality joint is harder than it looks, but don’t get discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect. With the right information and a little practice, you’ll get good at rolling joints. Then, as you practice more and more, you’ll steadily work your way toward becoming an expert. 

If you’re ready to learn how to roll a great joint, this guide is for you. This beginner-friendly guide includes everything you need to know to get rolling, including an overview of the equipment you’ll need, step-by-step instructions, and important etiquette tips. 

What is a Joint?   

Also sometimes called a cannabis cigarette, a joint is ground cannabis that has been wrapped in rolling paper. Joints are one of the most popular ways to smoke marijuana. 

Joints are not the same thing as spliffs and blunts, which are also popular ways of smoking cannabis. A cannabis spliff is a mixture of ground cannabis and tobacco wrapped in rolling paper. A cannabis blunt is ground cannabis that has been rolled in tobacco paper. Spliffs and blunts both contain tobacco, but joints simply contain marijuana. 

What Makes a Cannabis Joint Good?

It’s easier to roll a great joint if you know what you’re going for. Some elements come down to personal preference, but there’s one thing a well-rolled joint always needs: a consistent burn. A more even joint burn creates a smoother smoking experience, protects flavor, and ensures your flower is used efficiently. As we go through our step-by-step instructions, we’ll give tips on how to avoid having an uneven burn. 

What You’ll Need to Roll a Joint 

To roll a joint, you’ll need these materials and smoking accessories: 

• Cannabis Flower: If you don’t know what type of strain would be right for you, ask for a recommendation from your local cannabis dispensary. 
• Weed Grinder: You need something to grind your flower, like a dedicated weed grinder. 
• Quality Rolling Paper: Your choice of paper can change how your joint burns and tastes. Thin rice paper is a good option for more experienced rollers, but beginners may want to start with thicker paper, such as hemp paper. Thicker paper doesn’t tear as easily, so it’s easier to work with. 
• A Rolling Surface: A clean rolling surface, like a rolling tray or a cutting board, will catch stray flower and provide a solid surface while you roll. 
• A Lighter: Anything that can light your joint will do. 
• Tips (Optional, But Recommended): Tips act as a barrier between your mouth and your ground cannabis flower, which can help you avoid accidentally getting flower in your mouth when smoking. They can also help you avoid burning yourself when smoking the last of a joint and can act as a guide while you’re rolling. If you’re new to tips, classic cardboard tips are a great option. 

Step-By-Step Joint Rolling Process

Once you’ve got your materials, follow these steps to roll your joint. 

1. De-stem and grind your weed. You’ll need between a half gram and a gram of flower. First, pick out any stems and seeds, which can cause an uneven burn. Then, use your grinder to grind your flower into an even consistency. An even consistency will help your joint burn evenly.  
2. Double check your ground cannabis flower. Feel your finely ground weed with your fingertips to check for any stray stems, seeds, or seed shells. 
3. Lay out a piece of paper. Place the shiny end (which has an adhesive strip) away from you. You’ll start rolling from the end that’s closer to you. 
4. Place your tip. If you’re using a tip, place it on one side of your paper at the crease. 
5. Place your cannabis. Evenly sprinkle your ground marijuana along your paper’s fold. You want to pack your weed tightly and evenly to promote an even burn.
6. Roll your joint. Pinch your paper between your fingers. Using gentle pressure and a few back and forth motions, roll it into a cone shape. 
7. Seal your joint. Tuck the non-shiny end of your paper into your roll. Roll it up, lick the glue strip on the other end of your paper and stick it down as you finish rolling. 
8. Pack your joint. Pick your joint up by the tip and hold it vertically with the tip facing down. Tap the tip on a table to push your ground weed further down. If needed, add more ground weed into the opening at the top of your joint, then gently push it down with a toothpick, pencil, or other slim instrument. Be delicate to avoid ripping your joint. 
9. Twist the end. Seal your joint by gently twisting the open end. Don’t twist too hard or far, as that can rip your joint. If you have a long tail at the end, cut off any excess paper. 

If you struggle at any point in the rolling process, try not to stress. No one is amazing at rolling joints right away. With time and practice, you’ll hone your skills. 

Advanced Rolling Techniques  

After you’ve mastered rolling a standard joint, you can try out more advanced rolling styles and joint shapes. There are x-shaped cross joints, ultra thin pinners, and floral-inspired tulip joints. Many seasoned cannabis enthusiasts treat joint rolling as an art form. Once you have some joint rolling experience under your belt, don’t hesitate to try these more creative styles–or even create your own. 

Joint Etiquette

If you’re new to rolling or smoking joints, you may be wondering about joint etiquette. There are certain unspoken rules that people tend to follow in social settings, but don’t worry if you don’t know them yet. Here are some joint etiquette tips that will help you navigate the social aspect of your next smoking session. 

• The Roller Goes First: It’s standard for the joint roller to smoke first, so remember to let them take the lead. 
• Don’t Slobber: Having to smoke a joint that’s covered in someone else’s spit is just gross, so avoid slobbering when it’s your turn to smoke. 
• Skip When Sick: Don’t puff on a communal joint when you’re sick. That type of sharing is not caring. 
• Share Evenly: Take note of how many puffs other people are taking when smoking weed and stick to that rule. 
• The Best Roller Should Roll: Everyone will have a more pleasant experience if the best roller rolls the group’s joint, so don’t volunteer if that’s not you. 
• Don’t Peer Pressure: If someone doesn’t want to smoke, leave them be.  
• Don’t Smoke Inside Without Asking: If you want to smoke in someone’s car or home, you always need to ask first. It doesn’t matter if you know they’re a cannabis smoker–just ask first anyway.
• Be Kind: When in doubt, remember to be kind to your fellow cannabis users. For example, if someone overdid it and is anxious, don’t joke around or try to scare them. Be compassionate and non-judgemental, and everyone will have a better cannabis experience. 

Final Thoughts 

Still have questions about rolling the perfect joint? Visit a DC Collective dispensary and chat with one of our cannabis experts. 

If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep, cannabis could be what you need to finally get some shut eye. Research suggests that cannabis can act as a sleep aid by helping people fall asleep and get better quality sleep. It can also ease certain conditions that tend to disrupt sleep, like anxiety and chronic pain. 

But which cannabis products are the best for sleep issues? We’re here to help you get better sleep by providing specific product recommendations, but first let’s talk a bit about what you want to look for in cannabis sleep products. 

The cannabis plant contains dozens of compounds that can modulate your sleep cycle, including the cannabinoids CBD, THC, and CBN. Many people are already familiar with using CBD and THC for sleep, but CBN is less well-known. Studies show that CBN, a minor cannabinoid, may have powerful sedating effects when used alongside THC. So, THC products with added CBN are an excellent option for sleep. 

Some cannabis terpenes may also help promote better sleep. Terpenes are aromatic compounds, but emerging research shows they may also have therapeutic effects. Terpinolene and myrcene both appear to offer sedative effects, which can help your body relax into sleep. Caryophyllene eases stress and pain, which can help if either issue is keeping you up. 

Now that you know how cannabis can help you get restful sleep, let’s jump into the recommendations from our marijuana experts. Here are 5 cannabis products to try for a good night’s sleep. 

1. Sleep Gummies 

Drift away with these delicious Blueberry Lavender gummies. Featuring 2.5mg CBN and 5mg of THC per gummy, these low dose cannabis edibles are designed to offer relaxing effects with minimal psychoactive effects. Reviewers say these edibles “work really quickly” and help them “wake fewer times through the night.”

2. Sleepy Time Soft Gels  

These Sleepy Time soft gels offer a discreet and convenient way to improve your sleep experience. Each capsule contains whole flower cannabis extract, CBN, and calming terpenes. Take one an hour before bed and enjoy a restful night of improved sleep quality. 

The lower dose version of this product is featured above, but it’s also available in a more potent formula. The 25mg THC and 12.5mg CBN version can be a great option for those dealing with sleep disorders or those who need extra benefits, like chronic pain relief. 

3. SleepVape

Dr. Norm’s Sleep Vape is scientifically formulated to deliver the perfect balance of cannabinoids for sleep. This rechargeable pen delivers a balanced blend of THC, CBN, CBG, and CBD, as well as a luscious berry taste. With a rapid onset time of 5 to 15 minutes, this vape is an excellent choice when you want to get to bed ASAP. 

4. Indica Pre-Roll 

Prefer to smoke your marijuana? Opt for a convenient pre-roll that will help you drift off to dreamland in minutes. This pre-roll features Red Bottoms, one of our favorite cannabis strains for sleep. This heavy-hitting indica strain is ideal for relieving insomnia and anxiety, as well as sore muscles and body aches. 

5. Sleep Sours  

Float away with these perfectly blended CBN and THC edibles. These fragrant gummies feature an indica-inspired blend of THC and CBN, and a range of sleep-enhancing extracts and terpenes. Chamomile, lavender, myrcene, linalool, and beta-caryophyllene combine to create an ultra-soothing effect and add an array of delicious flavors. 

Get a Good Night of Sleep

These are five of our favorite marijuana products for rest and relaxation, but they’re not your only options. We have a wide range of products for sleep, as well as for sleep-disrupting issues like anxiety and pain. Explore our full selection in our online store or at your local DC Collective dispensary.. 

If you’re new to cannabis and aren’t sure where to start, we’re here to help. Some cannabis products are much more beginner-friendly than others. These products are easy to dose and use, and don’t require getting a bunch of equipment. Below, we’re sharing the 6 best types of products for beginners, as well as specific product recommendations within each category.

Before we get into our recommendations, we have an overall tip for beginners: go low and slow. Whichever product you try, take a lower dose than you think you need at first. Then, if you didn’t experience your desired effects, you can slowly increase your dose. Going low and slow is the best way to avoid accidentally overdoing it. 

Low-Dose Edibles 

Low-dose edibles are an excellent option for beginner cannabis users. They’re discreet, incredibly easy to use, and even easier to dose. Low-dose edibles generally come in bite size pieces, each of which delivers an exact dose of THC. 

If you’re new to edibles, it’s important to understand how they work. Edibles last for longer than other consumption methods, but they also take a while to kick in. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to start experiencing the effects of an edible. 

Because edibles take a while to start working, it’s very important not to take more too soon after your first dose. It’s common for beginners to accidentally take far too high of a dose because they thought their first edible did nothing. 

So, just remember to take it low and slow, even with low-dose products. Take just one low-dose gummy, then wait at least two hours before you even consider taking another. 

Tinctures 

Like edibles, tinctures are discreet, easy to use, and quite easy to dose. Use the bottle dropper to measure out your dose, hold it under your tongue for around 20 seconds, then swallow. 

Technically, tinctures are cannabis edibles, but know that they can work more quickly than other edibles depending on how you take them. If you just swallow a tincture, it will take longer to kick in, much like other edible products. However, you can also take it sublingually by holding it under your tongue before swallowing it. When taken sublingually, tinctures can take effect in as little as 15 minutes. 

Pre-Rolls 

If you’re a beginner who likes the idea of smoking marijuana, go for a pre-roll. Pre-rolls are pre-rolled joints that are ready to be smoked right away. You don’t need to do any grinding, sifting, or rolling. Just light and inhale. 

If you’re not sure how much to inhale, try taking 2 or 3 puffs to start. After taking each puff, pull the pre-roll away to breathe in a bit of air as well. Hold in your lungs for a few seconds, then release. After taking your first 2 to 3 puffs, put out your joint. Wait around 10 to 15 minutes, which is around how long it takes to feel the effects of smoking or vaping marijuana. At that point, you can take another couple of puffs if desired. 

It’s important for beginners to start with a more moderate strain, like the one we recommended above. When you’re new to cannabis, try to avoid ultra high THC strains that are described with words like “potent” or “heavy hitter.” Instead, look for strains that are described as “high CBD,” “moderate,” or “mellow.” 

Disposable Vapes 

If you’d prefer to vape rather than smoke, go for a disposable vape. Disposable vapes essentially work just like pre-rolls, but without the need to have a lighter. And unlike other vapes, they don’t require any complex set up. Just take a few puffs on your vape and enjoy. 

Like with pre-rolls, you want to make sure you choose a more moderate potency for your vape. The Kurvana vape we recommend above is great for beginners, as it has a high CBD to THC ratio. It still has plenty of THC, but the CBD in the blend will help ensure a less intense experience. 

Topicals 

If you’re using cannabis for pain relief, consider a topical product. Topical products work directly on the area they’re applied to, providing localized relief. And because they don’t directly enter the bloodstream, they do this without causing psychoactive effects. 

CBD Products 

CBD products are the perfect starting point for many beginners. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t cause psychoactive effects, so it won’t get you high. It’s a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that can allow you to experience some of the other potential benefits of cannabis (like reduced inflammation or better sleep). 

Research suggests that CBD can also help ease the potential side effects of THC. So, if you want to experience psychoactive effects while also reducing the risk of adverse effects, THC products that are also high in CBD are an excellent choice. 

If you want the benefits of cannabis with little to no psychoactive effects, look for CBD-dominant products with little to no THC. If you want psychoactive effects and a reduced risk of side effects, look for THC products that are also high in CBD.

More Beginner-Friendly Cannabis Products 

Have questions or need a personalized recommendation? Send us a message or stop by your local DC Collective dispensary. Our expert team members are always here to answer questions and help you find the perfect products for your experience level and desired results. 

If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or burned out, a relaxing night in is just what you need. It’s the perfect way to reset and recharge, so you can feel like the best version of yourself again. 

When you need maximum relaxation, supercharge your evening with calming cannabis products. Whether you’re looking for relief from anxiety, pain, or a lack of quality sleep, there’s a product for you. Here are 10 of the best cannabis products for relaxation and rest. 

Elevate your night with Kurvana’s Northern Lights vape. Northern Lights is a beloved indica strain known for its euphoric and ultra-soothing effects. Fans of the strain say it melts away stress, anxiety, and pain, leaving behind a relaxed and sleepy feeling. It’s an ideal way to unwind and recharge after a long day. 

If you’re looking for stress relief without psychoactive effects, turn to the Releaf CBD tincture. This full-spectrum CBD product is made from just two all-natural ingredients: MCT oil and cannabis oil. While it’s predominantly CBD, this 30:1 tincture also contains a range of terpenes and natural cannabinoids for an added wellness boost. It’s an excellent CBD oil for sleep, stress relief, or general relaxation.

Get a restful night of sleep with Kiva’s Midnight Mint Dark Chocolate. This gourmet cannabis edible features 5 mg of THC and 2 mg of CBN per piece, so this sweet treat will leave you ready to drift off in no time. 

Featuring hybrid lineage and a 1:1 THC to CBD ratio, this refreshing cannabis-infused beverage is here to help you have a balanced night in. Hoppy Balance creates a well-rounded experience, with calming yet lightly energizing effects. It also offers a balanced and refreshing flavor profile, with a blend of hops and bright citrus. 

Drift into a peaceful slumber with these delicious gummies for sleep. These marijuana-infused gummies feature a 1:1:1 ratio of THC, CBD, and CBN. CBN, the sleepiest cannabinoid in the cannabis plant, makes these THC edibles powerfully relaxing. They’re formulated to help you quickly drift off to dreamland and have more restorative sleep. 

Soothe stiff or aching muscles with the Releaf Massage Oil. This fast-absorbing topical is designed to reduce tension, inflammation, and pain. Use it on yourself or a loved one and enjoy relaxation, relief, and hydration. 

Infused with the beloved Blue Dream cannabis strain, these marijuana edibles offer a hybrid experience. Blue Dream starts with a happy and creative feeling, then settles into a relaxing and mellow effect. Pick up your paint brush and bask in your creative energy, then enjoy a night of quality sleep and sweet dreams. 

Get relief with this beloved topical product from Mary’s Medicinals. Designed to deliver potent cannabinoids to targeted areas, this non-psychoactive lotion provides localized relief. It’s formulated to ease acute and chronic pain, which can aid relaxation and promote more restful sleep. 

Melt away stress and pain with Verdure’s Honey + Lemon Tincture. This all-natural, gluten free, and vegan tincture is the perfect nightcap when you’re feeling worn down. Featuring 10 mg of THC per ML and an infusion of terpenes, this tincture offers natural pain relief and balanced therapeutic effects. 

Sink into the sofa with Passiflora’s Private Reserve OG, a sleepy strain with powerful effects. Private Reserve OG is best for more experienced users, as it packs a potent punch of sedation. One of the best strains for sleep, Private Reserve OG is the perfect companion for experienced medical or recreational users who want a top notch sleep aid. 

Looking for more cannabis products for a relaxing night in? Visit a DC Collective cannabis dispensary or browse our online store.