A blunt is a form of cannabis consumption that utilizes a cigar or cigarillo wrapper to contain the herb. This method employs a thicker, tobacco-leaf casing, distinguishing it from a joint which uses thin rolling papers. The resulting product is typically larger and offers a longer, slower burn than other hand-rolled options.
Preparation and Materials
Preparation begins by choosing the wrapper, which can be a cigar, cigarillo, or a pre-packaged tobacco-leaf wrap. If using a cigar product, carefully split the outer wrapper lengthwise to access the interior tobacco. This is often done gently with a razor blade or a sharp knife to ensure a clean, straight cut.
Once split, the tobacco contents must be completely emptied and discarded, leaving only the intact outer leaf. This wrapper still contains residual tobacco components and nicotine. The cannabis flower intended for filling should be coarsely ground. This ensures the material is broken down but not reduced to a fine powder, which could impair airflow and burn quality.
The Rolling Technique
Filling and Distribution
With the wrapper prepared, the ground cannabis is placed into the open leaf, creating a consistent, even bed. Distribute the material uniformly to ensure a smooth, straight burn. Overfilling the center while neglecting the ends can lead to an uneven, cone-shaped product that is difficult to smoke. The amount of material used is typically greater than for a standard joint, often requiring one to two grams of cannabis.
Tucking and Shaping
To begin the roll, the wrapper must be slightly moistened to increase its pliability and prevent cracking. Use your thumbs and index fingers to gently compress the cannabis into a cylindrical shape within the wrapper. Tuck the edge of the wrapper closest to you underneath the cannabis, initiating the roll. This “tuck and roll” motion must be firm enough to create a dense cylinder but loose enough to allow for proper airflow.
Sealing and Curing
Once the wrap is tucked and rolled tightly, the final exposed edge is moistened, often with saliva or water. This moisture acts as an adhesive, allowing the edge to stick firmly to the outside layer. After sealing, a common practice is to “cure” or “bake” the blunt by running a lighter flame quickly along the seam. This gentle heat dries the moisture, hardening the seam and locking the shape in place for a durable and even burn.
Proper Lighting and Smoking
The initial lighting process requires patience to achieve an even burn across the entire tip, often referred to as “cherrying.” Instead of applying the flame directly and inhaling, hold the tip near the lighter’s flame and slowly rotate it. This indirect heat gently ignites the material and wrapper evenly, preventing one side from burning faster than the other, a condition known as “canoeing.”
Once the tip is glowing red, smoking can begin with slow, measured draws, which helps maintain the even burn. Unlike a cigar, the smoke from a blunt is typically inhaled deeply, similar to a traditional cigarette or joint. If an uneven burn begins, gently applying the flame to the unlit side or moistening the wrapper just ahead of the faster-burning side can help correct the issue. Due to the thick tobacco wrapper and large volume of cannabis, blunts burn significantly slower than joints, making them well-suited for sharing in a group setting.