The Pros and Cons of Smoking Weed in a Joint

Weed joints are about as iconic as cannabis culture gets. The sleek little marijuana ‘cigarette’ goes by many names, and joints have been featured in many movies and pop culture. Doobie, spliff, joint, pinner, and the biggest, baddest of all, the blunt. You’ve seen them in everything from cult classic movies like Easy Rider, to silly Cheech and Chong flicks, the Pineapple Express, and of course, the TV series Weeds. 

Why Is Smoking Weed Out of a Joint So Popular?

Whatever you call them, smoking weed from a joint is one of the oldest and most common ways to enjoy cannabis. Largely due to their status in weed culture, joints are one of the most popular forms of smoking weed for various reasons. First, when done correctly, a ‘pinner’ (joint so small you can ‘pick your teeth with it’) can come in handy. It’s small, discreet, and easy to store. One downside to joints is that they produce a strong odor, so if you are carrying an unsmoked or partially smoked joint, be aware that others can smell it too! Especially when a joint has been smoked and resin collects on the paper. So although its size may be discreet, joints must be stored in a plastic zipping bag or airtight container. 

The Anatomy of a Joint

If you don’t know how to roll a joint, there are joint rolling machines and implements that can assist you. Or, you can buy pre-rolled joints or pre-rolls. If you’re not feeling up to purchasing your own rolling papers, grinding your flower, and gently yet firmly rolling a tight one, then don’t sweat it! Not everyone who enjoys cannabis knows how to roll a joint, and that’s okay. 

Smoking Out of a Joint Pros and Cons

When joints are not properly rolled, they will burn unevenly and sporadically. The pre-rolled joints you can purchase at your local cannabis dispensary are rolled by machines so they’re perfect and precise. Pre-rolls are a great option for those wanting to try cannabis because everything you need is in one container. 

The other nice thing about buying a joint already rolled is that buying in these small quantities allows you to sample different strains without investing a lot of money. A joint is a nice little sample of the buds or flower you may want to try again. 

One of the downsides to smoking joints is that they don’t have filters and may be too harsh for newbies and novices. Getting the inhalation part right isn’t as easy as it looks in movies. Depending on how tightly the joint is rolled, you may have to inhale deeply and for a while to get ‘a hit.’ On the flip side, it’s possible not to inhale enough smoke, and you don’t get a hit. When that happens, a typical response is to inhale deeper and longer, which can result in coughing and loss of breath. 

Overall, smoking weed through a joint has its benefits and drawbacks, and it is important to understand the risks associated with smoking anything. By being mindful of proper storage, investing in quality products, and practicing safe inhalation techniques, you can still enjoy the many pros of smoking joints while minimizing any potential risks.