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Tutorial 001: How To Roll A Hemp Joint

  • Opal Watkins
  • 6 days ago
  • 4 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

A woman holding a joint in a frame
Photo Credit: Justin 'Olot' Featherstone at Happy Buds Brooklyn

Whether you are new to rolling, looking for new rolling products, or want to refine your technique, this tutorial is for you.


What You Need 

  • Grinder 

  • Rolling papers (I prefer Bouqės both ¼ and King Size Slim (KSS)

  • One filter tip (I prefer Bouqė filter tip)

  • Packing Tool (anything long and cylindrical with one flat end)

  • Cannabis strain a.k.a flower



Let’s Roll Up!


Step 1: Check Your Paper

Pull your paper from the pack and look for the gum line. That thin strip along the edge is your agar gum layer, which helps to seal your joint. Ensure the gum line is at the top and facing you before you do anything else. If you do this step incorrectly, your joint won’t seal properly.

NOTE: If you don’t see a slightly shiny strip facing you, flip it over. 


 

Step 2: Roll Your Filter Tip

Take your filter tip and accordion-fold one end. Then roll it into a tight little cylinder. This will be placed at the end of your joint.  The filter tip ensures no flower will get into your mouth and improves the smoking experience.  This will anchor your joint. Put your rolled tip to the side for now.

NOTE: Don't skip this step because it provides a better puff experience.  



Step 3: Grind Your Flower

Grab your grinder and place your flower buds in the top compartment where the teeth are located. Grind down your flower by twisting and turning the top of your grinder.  You are looking for a fine but not powdery texture.


Step 3.5 (optional): Crush Your Paper

This step is optional; however, it is a step that I have done for years. Could be an urban legend, but it's believed to promote a slower burn. Simply ball up the paper, then unravel it.


Step 4: Make Your Bed

Ensure your rolling paper is facing you with the gum line at the top. Fold the paper in half lengthwise. This fold starts to create your bed its where you will lay your flower.  If you want a cone-shaped joint, fold it slightly off-center so there is more room at the top than the bottom. Place your index finger at the end while pouring in your flower on the side of the fold closest to you. Your finger is a placeholder for your filter. All of your flower should be inside the fold, similar to a blanket on a bed, ensuring all your flower is covered.



Step 5: Secure Your Filter Tip

Place your filter tip at the end where your finger held the spot. Turn your tip so the open end of the tip is facing you. Make sure enough flower is packed towards the filter tip. Without this step, you will have space between your tip and your flower. You want a firm base to avoid having a limp joint. Start rolling from the base where your filter is. Secure the tip first by slowly starting to roll up, but only focus on the tip. Be gentle yet firm because you want it to be tight but not tear. Keep rolling until you reach the gum line. Lick it lightly to close.

NOTE: Nobody likes a limp one your pull will not be strong, full and smooth. Like a full-bodied wine.


Step 5.5 (optional): Line Up Your Filter Tip

Slide the end of your rolling paper into that open end of the filter tip. This step will assist in rolling without the tip moving. As you become more advance you may not need this step. 


 

Step 6: Roll It Up

Continue to roll up the top of your joint using your thumbs to tuck and your fingers to guide the rolling. The paper should cover everything. No flower should be visible; all flower should be in the bed.



Step 7: Lick and Seal

Lick the gum line all the way across in one smooth motion to activate the adhesive in the gum line. Then use your packing tool to gently push any loose flower at the open end down toward the filter. You want it packed enough to hold its shape but not so tight that airflow is blocked. Pinch and twist the top until close. Push down softly to make the point a little flatter and snip the excess paper on the end.



Step 8: Light Up and Enjoy

Using a lighter or hemp wick, slowly rotate your joint to evenly light it. Focus on the tip only. Take a pull. Rotate it. Pull again to ensure that the top is fully lit. If it's not lit only light on the side that is not burning. Pull again. Enjoy!


We all have different techniques. I hope that this tutorial helps those who do not know how to roll. Those that do, I hope you see some commonalities in my process. 


My favorite rolling papers are Bouqé papers. They are based out of Washington, DC, and they are black-owned and operated. The papers are organic hemp, so they burn clean and slow. You will taste the difference. The Bouqé tagline is Taste Flower, Not Paper!


Bouqé also has a subscription for all their paper products called ReUp. You can get them mailed to your home every 3 or 6-months.


Questions? Drop them in the comments. More tutorials coming.

Roll responsibly. Pass The Bouqé.


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