Rolling your own joints can be satisfying and cost-effective. However, it’s also a time-consuming skill that requires the appropriate tools (like a grinder, rolling papers, cardboard, or a pen to roll it up nicely) and can take months to master.
Whether you’re new to cannabis, short on supplies, or just don’t want to bother with learning the art of rolling, prerolled joints offer consumers of all skill levels a simple and effective solution.
Keep scrolling to learn the ins and outs of preroll joints, from the different types you can purchase at the dispensary to the factors you should consider to get the best preroll for your needs.
What is a Preroll Joint?
A pre-rolled joint, or preroll, is what the name suggests – a joint that’s already been prepared for you. Nicely wrapped and available in various sizes and strains, preroll joints are ideal for anyone looking to enjoy a quick smoke on the go without any leg work to set up.
Pre-rolled cones are different and offer a solution for consumers who want the ease of a preroll without losing the ability to choose their favorite strain. The work is done by sealing the rolling paper into a cone shape, allowing you to fill the joint with your choice of flower, then simply twist the top before smoking.
Prerolls have several nicknames, earning their monikers depending on the size, width, wrap texture, filling, and more. From the classic joint slang to terms specifically for prerolls, these are some of the names you might come across on preroll packaging:
- Blunts
- Spliff
- Cannabis Cigarette
- Cannagars
- Caviar cones
- Dogwalker
- Dipped and Rolled
- J
- Joints
- Marijuana Cigarette
- Mini-J
- Moon Sticks
- Oil-Dipped
- Pinner
Three of the most commonly known “prerolls” are joints, blunts, and spliffs. But let’s keep things simple and focus on traditional cannabis-only prerolls.-only prerolls.
Pros of Using a Preroll
Preroll joints have plenty of positives to them, including:
Convenience: Rather than roll one yourself, preroll joints come ready-made for you to enjoy the moment you're ready to light up.
Instant: Not only can you light up and enjoy immediately, but smoking also allows you to begin feeling the effects within moments of your first puff.
Minimal materials needed: You just need a lighter or some sort of flame to ‘spark’ it.
More compact to bring around: Prerolls come in a variety of sizes: minis, dogwalkers, pinners, half grams, full grams, or almost any size you prefer. They are also easy to store and transport, often coming in their own portable tin, so your prerolls are as mobile as you are.
Easy to share: Community has always been a core principle of the cannabis community. Prerolls are an easy-to-share consumption method whether you pass around a single or buy a package so everyone gets their own.
Cons of Using a Preroll
As easy as prerolls are to enjoy, they aren’t suitable for everyone. Here are a few potential drawbacks to consider:
Cost: Labor and materials can make pre-rolls more expensive than loose buds sold in similar weights. You may also find that your favorite prerolls only come in packs of three, six, or more.
No control over quality: Prerolls have developed a reputation for being made with lesser quality cannabis, often referred to as ‘trim’ or ‘shake.’ While this has changed in recent years, and high-quality prerolls are now widely available, consumers shouldn’t assume every preroll on the dispensary shelf is made with high-quality flower.
Less choice of strain and quality: The selection of strains you can find in prerolls can sometimes be limited.
Types of Preroll Fill
A prerolled joint can be made using cannabis of varying quality.
- Trim: Trim is the clippings of a cannabis plant. It contains sugar leaves, tiny cannabis buds, and plant trichomes.
- Shake: The tiny pieces of cannabis flower that fall off larger buds.
- Nug: Also known as a bud or whole flower, this is the classic piece of harvested cannabis, often available in grams, eighths, and ounces.
Some prerolls include additional potency kicks like kief or extracted cannabis oil. These prerolls are often referred to as caviar cones or “infused” joints.
How to Choose a Preroll
As the cannabis saying goes, “Quality in, quality out.” Be on the lookout for the following characteristics before choosing your next pre-rolled joint:
- Flower Quality: Different brands use different quality flowers (indoor, sun-grown, greenhouse, etc.), which will affect the flavor and quality of your preroll. Which you choose is a personal preference.
- Fill type: While many prerolls are packed with cannabis flower, some brands offer options mixed with tobacco or cannabis extracts. Newcomers and those with lighter tolerances may want to avoid infused options until becoming more familiar with cannabis. Be sure to check the labels and ask your budtender before making any purchases.
- Size: Pre-rolled joints come in various sizes, ranging from grams and half grams to smaller options like dog walkers and pinners. The latter options often come shorter or narrower than the classic joint – making them more suitable for solo or short smoking sessions.
- Rolling Paper Material: Pre-rolled joints have been wrapped with everything from gold leaves to rose petals, hemp or palm leaves, and cigar wraps. These wraps will affect the smoking experience, flavor, and potentially the purchase cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do prerolls cost?
Depending on the marketplace and the type of preroll, you can typically find singles or lower-quality options for around $5 to $10 apiece. More connoisseur selections, larger packages, and infused prerolls can cost anywhere from $20 to $50 or more.
Most shops have a range of options for your needs.
How long do prerolls last?
If you keep your prerolls in their airtight containers in a cool, dark place, they should last 6 to 12 months.
How long it takes to smoke a preroll depends on the size, filling, rolling paper used, and your own rate of consumption.
How do I know if a preroll has gone bad?
In most legal states, ‘best buy,’ ‘packaged,’ and harvest dates are listed on the label. If the preroll was made with flower harvested or packaged over 6 to 12 months, it may have diminished in quality. After purchase, and in some states before, you can also examine a preroll joint yourself: if it lacks aroma or flavor or its colors have started to change, it might be time to buy a new pack. You may also notice a change in the effects. When past due, the cannabinoid THC degrades into CBN, which may induce more sedative effects.
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.