How to roll a joint

5 simple steps to roll your first joint

1. Prepare your materials: rolling paper, filter, flower, and a flat surface.
   1. Grind or break apart your flower into fluffy consistency.
2. Pick up your paper and filter. Sticky side of paper on far side, filter halfway out.
   
   1. Load flower into paper, slightly larger than filter size.
   2. Pinch paper over flower to form cylinder shape.
      
3. Start the roll on the filter side.
   1. Use opposite hand to form paper around flower.
4. Once mostly rolled, lick sticky portion by dabbing, no swiping.
   1. Connect sticky portion and run finger along it for tight seal.
5. Twist tip snugly. Practice with all sorts of materials.
   

Tips and tricks

• Choose the right size for your paper and filter tip. Start with A Simple Guide to Filter Tip Size.
  
• A good filter tip makes rolling substantially easier.
  
• Flower should not be chunky or have seeds/stems.
• Make sure you have enough flower right next to the filter, or the structure will be weak.
• When pinching to form the cylinder, rolling back and forth forms the best shape.
• To start the roll, let the paper tuck in right next to the filter, the most structured location.
• If you swipe to wet the sticky side, you will be wiping the sticky part off and it won't stick well. Dab, don't swipe.
• Once rolled, pack down the end with a pencil or chopsticks.
  
• Learn new ways to seal it. Dutch crown is my favorite.
• Try rolling with different materials. We are too cautious with flower, so other materials allow us to be more rambunctious, which activates learning.

Common questions

Do I need a filter?

No. You can roll a joint without a filter. It is just easier with one.

Do I need a grinder?

No. Again, easier and quicker with a grinder, but picking apart works fine.

My first joint looks horrible. What do I do?

You probably didn't pack enough flower. This is the most common issue. The goal is to roll something that is smokable. With intentional practice, you will improve.

How much flower do I put?

Use the filter as a guide. See the pictures above.

Ready to roll

Pick up a set of reusable filter tips and a pack of rolling papers, then practice until it becomes easy.