The joint is the quintessential emblem of cannabis culture. Its simplicity and accessibility has made the J a staple in cannabis narratives for over a one hundred years. From 19th century Central American laborers, through the psychedelic hippies of the 1960’s, and all the way into today’s world, cannabis and the joint have been inexorably linked together in our collective unconscious. But even something with as much history as the joint has room to evolve—and that’s just what it’s doing. 

Today there are more ways to roll up than ever before. Pre-rolled cones have not only changed the way we roll our joints, but the way we envision them as well. Today the image of a long and tapered spliff, with its baseball-bat-like profile, has replaced the tubular, cigarette-esque doobies of the 1970’s. Cones may be the future of joints, but are they an improvement on the classic style, or just a passing fad?

Despite being invented with tobacco instead of cannabis in mind, the rolling paper is a time-honored tool in every stoner’s arsenal. Some rolling papers are made of flax fibers or wood pulp, and others, like these Zig-Zag Organic Hemp Papers, are made from materials derived from the cannabis plant itself—which compliment the earthy flavors of your bud. 

Rolling papers are incredibly versatile. When twisting up with conventional papers, the size and shape of your joint are entirely up to you. If you’re in the mood for a long session with a big fat doobie, you can stuff a King Sized Paper with herb until it’s about to burst. Or, if you’re short on time, only want to imbibe a bit, or low on material, that same paper can be used to roll a thin pinner. Expert rollers can even combine two or three papers to create more space for gargantuan fatties. If you like including filters in your joints, it’s easy to add one. If you prefer them filterless, then that option is available.

The conventional rolling paper is also the easier of the two options to locate. Every gas station from here to Kathmandu has a pack of Zig-Zags for sale, which can be helpful during emergencies. Not only are traditional rolling papers easier to find, they’re much cheaper as well, so you can save your money for what’s going to go inside.

To perfectly pearl a joint takes patience and practice. Beginners to the art of rolling may find themselves frustrated at the difficulty—especially during the first few attempts. You’ll inevitably roll some ugly, misshapen joints while getting the hang of it, and cheefing a badly rolled J wastes precious flower, and leaves smokers feeling unsatisfied.

Even for expert rollers, the process of flawlessly shaping your ground herb into a beautiful doobie can be painstakingly tedious. All that time spent rolling might be better spent smoking.  

Make sure your flower has been well-ground before adding it to your paper. This will help prevent pockets of air from forming and causing your joint to burn unevenly. 

Finding the right amount of tightness is the key to rolling an ideal J. If your joint is too loose, it can canoe and burn unevenly. If it’s too tight, it can be difficult to take a hit. Finding the sweet spot can take quite a bit of trial and error, so be patient. If you find that you just can’t seem to get it right, picking up a cigarette roller will help you roll the perfect joint every time. 

The newer of our two options, the pre-rolled cone, is designed to simplify the joint rolling process. As you might infer from the name, these papers have already been rolled into a cone shape and just need to be packed with dry herb.

With a pre-rolled cone, even the most inexperienced cannabis users can create a gorgeous joint. The ease of use makes these products perfect for novices who don’t want to spend countless hours trying to train their fingers to roll up a paper while wasting valuable bud in the process. Just simply grind up your flower, stuff it into the cone, and voila—you now have an immaculate J that looks as good as one you’d pick up from a dispensary.

Pre-rolled cones aren’t just for beginners. Even veterans can appreciate just how quick and easy cones make the joint rolling process. No more spilling herb out the sides of your paper while attempting your tuck. No more time wasted gently massaging your flower into the right shape. No more frustrating glue strips that refuse to stay closed. The less time you spend rolling, the more time you can spend smoking. That’s why pre-rolled cones are a great option for when you want to roll several joints in a short period of time. 

Cones have been permanently formed into their shape before you even take them out of the package, which means you have no control over the size of your J. This can be annoying if you want to conserve your herb by rolling smaller pinners, or if you don’t have enough material left to fill up the entirety of your cone. 

Like with all things, convenience has its cost. Pre-rolled cones are more expensive than their traditional rolling paper counterparts, which can add over time if you’re a heavy smoker.

Regular rolling papers are packaged in a slim pack that can effortlessly be transported. Cones on the other hand often have cumbersome packaging, or are otherwise easily crushed in a pocket or bag. Luckily, Zig-Zag has remedied this problem with their innovative crush-proof slide box which prevents the cones from being misshapen during transport, and is small enough to comfortably fit in a pocket.

When stuffing your cones it can be helpful to first fill them up halfway, then pack the herb down towards the filter by using the back of a pen, a chopstick, or similarly shaped utensil. Continue to fill up the cone, then pack the material down once again before twisting the end off. This will help your joint burn slower and more evenly. 

Regardless if you prefer the convenience of cones, or the versatility of rolling papers, Zig-Zag’s premium papers are some of the best on the market. With over a century’s worth of experience in the game, choosing Zig-Zag is the first step to rolling the perfect joint.