Greetings, my fellow herb enthusiasts! Today, we’re going to learn how to smoke a joint properly. You may be reading this thinking, ‘how hard can it be?’. Well, smoking a joint isn’t difficult, but there is an art to smoking a joint right. Whether you’re a seasoned smoker or a newbie, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know. From choosing the right strain, to how to make a filter, along with some useful tips that will make your smoking experience healthier and more enjoyable.
How long does it take to smoke a joint?
Well, how long is a piece of string? The answer, my friends, is that it all depends on the size of the joint, how much weed is in it, and how many people are sharing it. In general, a typical joint can take anywhere from 5-20 minutes to smoke, but if you’re smoking with a group, it could take longer. Remember, smoking a joint is a communal activity, so take your time, pass it around, and enjoy the moment.
How much THC is in a joint?
Again, this can really vary depending on what strain of weed you are using and the size of the joint. The typical medium sized joint contains 0.3-1 gram of weed. But now it depends on the potency, so let’s say that the average weed THC percentages range from 15-25%. That means your typical joint is likely to have around 45-250 milligrams of THC. Although you should keep in mind that this will vary massively from strain to strain and could even change drastically from bud to bud off of the same plant.
How to make a filter for a joint?
Filters, or tips, are an essential part of a joint and if used correctly help to prevent weed from being breathed into your mouth and create a much smoother smoking experience. You can buy readymade filters that filter out some of the toxins breathed in, however, more on that later. If you have your weed and grinder ready but you need to make yourself a filter here is how….
Find a piece of thick paper or cardstock, such as an index card. Lots of people use the card flip on the front of a pack of rizla for this. Cut a small rectangle, about 1 inch by 1.5 inches in size, and accordion-fold it until it’s the size of the joint or for smokers, the size of a cigarette filter. Then, roll the filter into a cylinder and place it at one end of your rolling paper. This will be the narrower end that you breathe in from. Remember when folding the card to make the filter, the smaller the gaps in the filter, the less weed can be breathed through, but don’t make it too tight otherwise it will be difficult to draw any smoke through.
Can you smoke a joint with a cigarette filter?
If you are a smoker, it might seem logical to use a cigarette filter for your joint, I mean they are designed to filter smoke right? Well, there are two main reasons that this is not the best idea.
Cigarette filters are a little bit too small for joints, you will have to pull on them really hard to get any decent amount of smoke from your joint.
They are also designed to remove nasty chemicals from cigarette smoke, such as tar and nicotine. If used in a joint they will also filter out some of the THC from your weed. So if you want to make the most of your weed, make your own filter from card or buy one that is specifically made for joints, spliffs and blunts.
How to inhale smoke properly?
For those of you that smoke cigarettes this may seem obvious but for a non-smoker, inhaling smoke properly may not be something you have ever had to do before. When we inhale smoke, it is in the lungs where THC is absorbed into the bloodstream, so you need to make sure you breathe deeply to allow this to happen. A common mistake that first time smokers make is just breathing the smoke into their mouths and then breathing out. This won’t allow much THC to be absorbed and you probably won’t feel much of the effects.
How to smoke a joint properly
When you take a hit, hold the joint to your lips and inhale deeply. As you inhale, draw the smoke into your mouth and then inhale again to bring the smoke into your lungs. Hold the smoke in your lungs for 1-2 seconds, then exhale slowly. Remember, don’t inhale too deeply, as this can cause coughing and discomfort.
How not to cough when smoking a joint?
Coughing is a common side effect of smoking, especially for new smokers. To prevent coughing, try taking smaller hits and inhaling slowly. Additionally, drinking water before and after smoking can help soothe your throat. Some people also find that sucking on a hard candy or cough drop can help prevent coughing.
Tips on smoking the perfect joint
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s talk about what you need to do to create and smoke the perfect joint.
Learn to roll properly
Rolling a joint takes practice, but it’s an essential skill for any smoker. Properly rolled joints burn evenly and at a steady speed which makes smoking them much smoother. Take your time and be patient, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from more experienced smokers. There are also plenty of tutorials online to help you perfect your rolling technique.
Use good weed to make your joint
When you smoke a joint the quality of the weed you use is just as important as the way it’s rolled and how you smoke it. Bad weed can sometimes taste nasty, be full of chemicals and low in THC so it’s important to either grow your own or buy from a trusted source.
Look for high-quality, fresh weed that’s been properly cured and stored. You can tell a lot from the look, smell and feel of weed. If the weed is brown, leafy or full of stems then it’s probably not great. Before you buy any weed give it a smell, if you pick up any scent of mold or dampness avoid it because it could be going moldy. Also some street dealers have been known to spray their weed with chemicals that resemble the smell of pineapple or fruits to make it more appealing, if weed smells too obviously sweet or fruity, it could be sprayed a scent to mask the smell of something like mold.
Use a good grinder
Using a good grinder is important if you want to make the perfect joint. Grinding your weed consistently and evenly creates a more efficient burn and a better, smoother smoking experience. A good grinder can also help preserve the potency and flavor of the cannabis, resulting in a more enjoyable and satisfying high.
What makes a good quality weed grinder?
Material: A good grinder should be made of high-quality materials that are durable and long lasting such as aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel.
Number of pieces: The more pieces a grinder has, the more efficient it usually is at grinding weed. A three-piece grinder is the minimum recommended for most users, with four or five pieces being preferable for more advanced users. Good grinders usually have a tray at the bottom that allows you to catch the THC rich dust called kief that falls through.
Design: A good grinder should have a design that makes it easy to use and clean. The teeth should be sharp and evenly spaced for consistent grinding, and the grinder should have a kief catcher for collecting the potent trichomes that fall off the bud during grinding.
Use a carbon filter tip
You can buy carbon filter tips that are specifically made for joints or spliffs. They are designed to filter out the tar and other harmful contaminants created from burning plant matter. Using carbon filters for your joints will create a smoother, cooler and healthier smoke with less carcinogens. So, why isn’t everyone using them then…. Well, the tradeoff is that they do filter out some of the THC, but you will still get enough to get you high. Really it is down to personal preference, but if smoking a joint is your preferred way of consuming weed, then I would recommend using carbon filters to minimize the long term damage to your lungs.
