It is a common practice to smoke a portion of a blunt (cannabis rolled in a tobacco leaf wrapper) and save the remainder for later consumption. This allows users to moderate their intake and prevent waste when they do not wish to finish the entire roll in one session. Successfully saving the rest requires mastering the physical process of extinguishing it and ensuring proper storage to preserve the material’s quality.
Practical Methods for Stopping and Extinguishing
The goal when stopping a blunt is to extinguish the glowing ember, often called the “cherry,” without crushing the delicate tip. Crushing the end can compress the material, making it difficult to relight evenly later on. The most effective method is gently dabbing the lit end against a clean, non-flammable surface, such as an ashtray or a metal tin. This gentle contact deprives the ember of oxygen, causing the combustion process to cease quickly. Another technique involves using a small, specialized container, sometimes called a “doob tube,” to suffocate the cherry; ensure the ember is completely out afterward to prevent continued slow burning.
Maintaining Freshness and Potency
Once the blunt is extinguished and cool, proper storage is necessary to prevent the remaining cannabis from drying out and degrading. Exposure to air, light, and heat are the primary factors that diminish the quality of the saved material. The best approach involves placing the partially consumed blunt into an airtight container, such as a glass vial, a small jar with a sealing lid, or a dedicated joint saver tube. Using an airtight container prevents the inner cannabis from losing its moisture, which keeps the smoke smoother upon relighting. Storing the container in a cool, dark location is also advised, as light and heat can accelerate the degradation of cannabinoids like THC and volatile terpenes.
Effects of Re-lighting on Experience
While saving a portion of a blunt is practical, re-lighting it often results in a noticeably different smoking experience. The initial puffs tend to be harsher and less flavorful. This degradation is due to the accumulation of resin and tar at the previously burned tip, which condenses and solidifies when the blunt is extinguished. When the blunt is relit, the flame must burn through this concentrated residue, leading to a smoky, acrid taste. The uneven charring of the material also makes it more challenging to achieve a smooth, even burn, and the qualitative experience is generally less refined, though potency is preserved.