You may already be familiar with cannabis, and its catalog of strains and purposes. You may be less familiar with the vast array of options on how to roll it up. Today, we’re looking at the differences between joints and blunts — and more.
Before bongs, pipes, chillums, and everything else, cannabis made its introduction using a more labor-intensive method. This brought us the infamous joint.
Portrayed in mainstream media for decades as the defacto method of smoking marijuana, joints have made their way into the public eye with a clear purpose.
Alongside the cultural storm of the joint, came a handful of variations that follow the same general idea but with definitive differences.
What’s the difference between joints, spliffs, and blunts?
It would be an understandable assumption that all of these things may be identifiable by sight alone. When it comes to glass pieces, it’s pretty easy to get a quick idea of what you are looking at without too much insider information.
With hand-rolled options, things can get a little murky, however. A prime example would be a spliff and a joint. As is outward appearance, these two things are completely indistinguishable from each other.
And even getting into just the standard blunt, you may end up having something with an outer wrap type you weren’t expecting.
What are the differences between joints and blunts?
Without a little insider knowledge, you can still probably tell at a glance that these things are not exactly the same. It may be easier to tell the difference between a few compared to others, but the differences aren’t just cosmetic.
Things such as the other layer, the size, and even the smokable ingredients can differ between each of these.
So how do people decide which one to make or buy? Which one has what you are looking for? Well, it’s best to go over the benefits and drawbacks associated with each to figure out exactly what it is you are setting yourself up for.
Below we will dive a little more into what makes each of these unique so you can better understand what goes into choosing the best option for yourself.
Pros and Cons
As you contemplate the best bang for your buck in the smokable cannabis options, it’s always best to understand the positives and negatives of each option.
Below, we are going to go over some pros and cons of some of the more popular smokeable options and help formulate a general idea of what to expect when picking out what works best for a given situation.
Blunts
Let’s start with the infamous blunt. Popularised in music and film culture as a defacto group smokable. Originating (allegedly) in the New York area, blunts are popular for their long burn and larger capacity.
With the size and volume associated with a blunt, they quickly became a mainstay in circles for people to puff and pass. The original blunt used a classic cigar wrapping made of dried tobacco leaf to hold the cannabis together.
This not only provided ample room for cannabis but added the thick, rich aroma of aged tobacco to the marijuana changing the flavor composition and adding nicotine into the mix.
Today blunts can, and often are, wrapped in hemp leaf instead by those who seek the slow burn and group-centric abilities without getting tobacco mixed in.
Pros
- Great for group smoking
- Can fit more flower into it, usually 2-3 grams
- More flavor
- Longer burn
Cons
- Can be more expensive
- Longer burn can continue after you finish
- Harder to roll by hand
Joints
The original timeless classic. Joints are popular for their simplicity, ease of access, and general aesthetic. The joint has been around since the mid-1800s when field laborers in Mexico began adding cannabis to their cigarettes.
From there the simple concept spread until it became a global icon. With the dissemination of media such as movies and music, the joint became synonymous with the illicit use of marijuana.
Even through its popularity and wildfire-like spread, the joint still has its flaws to follow along with its benefits.
Pros
- Portable
- Easy to light
- Easy to extinguish and save for later
- Nice for a friend or two
Cons
- Not very discreet
- Takes a bit of experience to roll properly
- Does not hold very much flower
Spliffs
The spliff is actually closer to the roots of the joint than the joint itself. The joint began its life being mixed with cigarettes out in the field by laborers.
The spliff is a direct descendant of that practice with the added benefit of giving newbies a few options on how to make them.
While the original form was made with whatever tobacco was on hand at the time, today’s market gives a wide array of options.
Someone making a spliff can add tobacco to their favorite cigarette or even buy specialty blends specifically for the creation of a connoisseur’s smoke.
Pros
- Portable
- Easy to light
- Nicotine from tobacco adds a bit of an energetic feeling
Cons
- Tobacco isn’t the most healthy thing to smoke
- Tobacco can alter the flavor of your cannabis flower
- Takes some experience to roll properly
Cones
The cone is a relatively new niche in smoking. While the shape and volume may seem a bit intimidating at first, the cone is just a bigger, more jam-packed joint at its core.
Cones are made of the same shell as joints and spliffs but with the ability to hold a considerable amount of ground cannabis flower. Oftentimes, cones are purchased pre-rolled, so the user doesn’t need to use dedicated equipment to fill them.
One of the major differences, outside of size, that the cone has when compared to a joint is that the mouthpiece (also known as the crutch) already comes attached to the body, further simplifying the process.
Cones are also known as “Bats” due to their wide end that tapers down to the crutch and how it resembles a baseball bat.
Empty cones can be bought from multiple common brands including RAW and Zig-Zag.
Pros
- Holds more than a standard joint
- Easier to share
- Easy to put out and save for later
Cons
- Harder to roll by hand
- Easy to damage
- Can be pricey if pre-rolled
Which one is better?
Better is a subjective term when it comes to something used for recreational purposes. Even when medical is on the table, there is still a fair amount of leeway for what can be considered good or best.
Some things to consider when trying to pick an option for yourself are things like:
- Is it for a single person or a group setting?
- Do you want just cannabis or a blend?
- How much do you use in a single session?
- How much work do you want to put into making it?
Some of these options are easier to assemble yourself than others, things like cones are preshaped and ready to fill. Others like blunts take considerably higher levels of manual dexterity to make and may require more than one attempt and wrap if done incorrectly.
Luckily, rolling machines are available to purchase if the original method of hand-rolling proves to be more time-consuming than you want to commit to.
These handy little additions to the smoke culture assist in the packing and rolling of a smokable with much less technical skill required compared to hand rolling. Buying one of these can make rolling a fresh joint or spliff a matter of seconds instead of minutes.
Beyond even the benefits of a rolling machine lies a third option that is becoming even more popular. Instead of having to wheel out your own equipment to prepare for a smoke sesh, pre-rolls are becoming widely available across the states in many dispensaries.
What is a pre-roll?
The best thing about pretty much all of these options is that you don’t even have to do the grunt work if you don’t want to. Most if not all of the options above can be bought, premade, for your convenience.
The option is exactly what it sounds like. A prerolled and filled joint, blunt, spliff, etc. That you buy completely intact and finished.
Cones can come pre-packed with finely ground cannabis, usually in a variety of strains to suit the balance and flavor profile you are looking for. This goes the same for joints.
It’s easy to find these in most locations that sell cannabis since the only two components are paper and cannabis. The low level of complicated work involved makes them a favorite for shops to carry.
Which one should I choose?
With all the information above, it comes down more to personal preference than anything. Choosing which one you want or need for a specific situation relies entirely on the individual.
Things to consider when deciding include how many people are using it, does it need to be tobacco-free, how mu]ch cannabis you usually use in a session, etc.
When considering group efforts, it’s usually better to go with a larger cone or blunt so that the smokable lasts long enough for the entire group.
If you are flying solo, then a joint or spliff is better suited for your needs since it contains much lower amounts of cannabis or tobacco.
Even outside of those considerations some people just like to take their time throughout the day on a single blunt and just enjoy having it last a long time, something they can come back to after a few hours and pick right back up where they left off.
Wrapping up the differences between joints and blunts
Now we’ve looked at the differences between joints and blunts, along with various other options. We hope this makes it easier for you to decide what to puff on next time you want to light up.
Be sure to explore our different flower strains for some quality bud to smoke. Whatever type of strain you vibe with the most, we have a selection that meets your needs.
Grass Valley Girl Strain, 26.7% THCa Flower
$20.00 – $280.00
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This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Mac1 Strain, 35.8% THCa Flower
$20.00 – $280.00
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This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Gelato 41 Strain, 20.6% THCa Flower
$20.00 – $280.00
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Ice Cream Cake Strain, 26.6% THCa Flower
$60.00 – $280.00
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This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page