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Difference Between Joints and Blunts: A Comprehensive Guide

There is a host of ways one can consume cannabis. All have their peculiarities and can make a user experience it differently. Among the many ways of smoking cannabis, joints and blunts reign supreme. They may seem more similar than they actually are, and for this reason, there are important differences between the two. In this paper, we look at the differences between a joint and a blunt and the pros and cons of each.

Chris Dorcey
Inheal Editor
Post date
Time to read
4 mins 13 secs
Joints vs Blunts

Key Takeaways

  • Joints and blunts represent two of the most popular ways to smoke cannabis, but they come with some key differences.
  • Joints are made with rolling papers, while blunts are made with tobacco leaf wraps.
  • Blunts are generally larger and burn more slowly than joints; they can also have added health concerns due to the tobacco.
  • Alternative ways of ingesting cannabis include vaping, edibles, concentrates, and other cannabinoids.
  • Ultimately, it's all personal preference, whether with a joint, a blunt, or another method entirely.

What is a Joint

A joint is, for simplicity, a cannabis cigarette. It’s made by rolling ground cannabis flower in rolling paper. Joints are typically rolled with thin, translucent papers that come in a variety of sizes and materials, including hemp, rice, and flax. The cannabis is ground up and placed inside of the paper, which is then rolled into a cylindrical shape and sealed by twisting the end.

Joints are one of the most iconic ways to take cannabis. They are pretty easy to roll and provide an easy, inconspicuous way to enjoy cannabis on-the-go. They’re also pretty cheap, since all you need is cannabis and some rolling papers.


What is a Blunt

A blunt is similar to a joint in that it’s a rolled cannabis cigarette. In this case, however, instead of rolling up the cannabis in rolling papers, blunts are made with tobacco leaf wraps. The wraps are commonly made from hollowed-out cigars where the tobacco has been removed and replaced with cannabis.

Blunts are larger compared to joints and tend to carry a great deal more cannabis. The fact that they are wrapped with tobacco leaf gives them a very distinct flavor and aroma that many smokers of cannabis enjoy. Of course, the tobacco addition tends to add an extra layer of harshness and increases the health risks associated with smoking.


Key Differences Between Joints and Blunts

Rolling Material

Perhaps the most evident distinction between joints and blunts pertains to the material with which they are rolled. Joints utilize thin rolling papers, whereas blunts are made from thicker tobacco leaf wraps. This gives them not just a different flavor, but a different smoking experience altogether.

Size

Blunts tend to be larger in size compared to joints. They can hold more cannabis. While a joint is usually small, holding anywhere from 0.3 grams to 1 gram, a blunt can easily contain a gram or more of cannabis.

Flavor

This is because the tobacco leaf used in blunts adds an added flavor to the smoking experience. Some people like that, while others may want a pure taste from their cannabis-you get this with joints.

Burn Time

Blunts tend to burn more slowly than joints, both because they are larger as well as due to the thickness of the tobacco leaf it’s wrapped in. Whereas one might finish off a joint in about 10 minutes, when smoking from a blunt, it will last half an hour or longer.

Health Considerations

While smoking anything is harmful to one’s health, blunts may carry the biggest risks due to the presence of added tobacco. Tobacco contains a huge amount of toxic chemicals and is very addictive; as such, regularly smoking blunts could result in an increased risk of nicotine addiction and tobacco-related diseases.


Pros and Cons of Joints

Pros

  • Easy to roll, hence convenient
  • Cheap since only cannabis and rolling paper are needed
  • Cannabis flavor is pure
  • Discreet and very easy to carry

Cons

  • Tend to burn quickly making the smoking session much quicker
  • May need to be re-lit more than others
  • Rolling papers used can slightly alter the flavor of your smoke

Pros and Cons of Blunts

Pros

  • Capable of holding more cannabis for a longer smoke session
  • Strong flavor due to the tobacco leaf used to wrap
  • Burn slowly which makes them last longer
  • Are often a social activity as multiple friends can roll and smoke a blunt together

Cons

  • Leaf contains tobacco which means added harshness and health risks
  • More expensive than joints because you are paying for the cigar wraps
  • Less discreet due to size and potent smell
  • Take more time to get ready and put together

Alternatives to Joints and Blunts

Want to use cannabis without smoking it through a joint or blunt? You have some options. Here are a couple pretty popular ones.

Vape Cartridges and Disposable Vapes

Over the last few years, vaping has gained momentum as a smokeless alternative to joints and blunts. Pre-filled vape cartridges and disposable vapes make it easy and discreet to consume cannabis on the go.

Edibles

Edibles are food products infused with cannabis extract. They offer a smoke-free manner of consuming cannabis and are an excellent alternative for those who do not smoke or who prefer feeling different for a more extended period. Gummies containing Delta 8 have also become one of the most popular types of edibles that also feature Delta 8 THC – a mild analogue of the principal psychoactive component of cannabis.

Concentrates

Cannabis Concentrates are some of the most potent products on the market, created through an extraction process meant to strip the majority of the plant material away, leaving a concentrated amount of cannabinoids and terpenes behind. Various ways one can consume concentrates include with a dab rig or vaporizer. The effects from concentrates are very strong and fast-acting.

Other Cannabinoids

In addition, there are a lot of other cannabinoids to choose from, other than traditional THC products. Delta 8 THC, HHC, and THC-A are some of the other alternative cannabinoids that have picked up a lot of steam in recent years.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Joints or blunts: which is healthier?

    Neither of them is healthy, because smoking in general creates serious damage to the lungs. However, blunts might constitute an extra health hazard because of tobacco in the wrap.

  • How Much Cannabis Do Joints and Blunts Usually Contain?

    Joints usually contain from 0.3 to 1 gram of cannabis, while blunts can contain 1 gram or even more due to their size.

  • Can You Roll Blunt Using Rolling Papers?

    No blunt is specifically defined by the use of tobacco leaf wraps. If you are using rolling papers, then it is considered a joint.

  • What are some other ways to get high besides smoking joints/blunts?

    Other ways are vape cartridges or disposable vapes, edibles such as gummies, using concentrates, or other cannabinoids such as Delta 8 THC, HHC, or THC-A.

  • Is it legal to smoke cannabis in public?

    The legality of smoking cannabis in public varies by location. In most places where cannabis is legal, smoking in public is still prohibited and can result in fines or other penalties. It is important to know and follow your local laws regarding cannabis use.

Disclaimer

The statements on this blog are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease. FDA has not evaluated statements contained within the blog. Information on this website or in any materials or communications from Inheal is for educational/informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider before making any healthcare decisions, correct dosage or for guidance about a specific medical condition.

by Chris Dorcey

A connoisseur of cannabis creativity and true contemplation with more than 20 years of experience, Chris extracts deep thoughts from getting lightly baked and shares his wandering mind. He blends cuisine and cannabis culture into nutritious, delicious recipes and insights for other hemp lovers.