Cannabis enthusiasts have been debating the merits of rolling a blunt versus a joint for years. Both styles have benefits and drawbacks based on your personal preferences, how much you've used them, and the situation at hand. Although both are an easy way to consume flower, there are many other factors that go into each method that will impact your smoking experience, your health, and your wallet.
Here are the top 5 differences between blunts and joints as researched through personal experiences, industry studies, and science.
1. The Basic Stuff: Tobacco vs. Paper
The primary difference between the two methods is the type of product you're consuming in each. A joint uses the actual flower of the cannabis plant that has been finely ground and then placed inside of a very lightweight paper (usually made from rice, hemp or flax). On the flip side, a blunt is when you take the flower of the cannabis plant that has been finely ground, and place it in a tobacco leaf wrap. These wraps can be created by taking a cigar or cigarillo (such as a Swisher Sweet or Dutch Master), hollowing out the center, and filling it with cannabis or using one of the new products that provide a leaf-based wrap specifically designed to be used as a blunt wrap.
These two differing materials create vastly different experiences: a joint allows you to truly experience the flavors and effects of the cannabis plant; a blunt provides you with a hybrid experience (the effect of the cannabis plant plus the earthy/sweet/spicy flavors of cured tobacco). Through my own experiences, I can attest to the fact that the taste of a blunt is clearly hybrid. It is a combination of the terpenes and flavors of your chosen cannabis strain along with the earthy, sweet, or spicy flavors of cured tobacco. If you don’t want to get any nicotine at all, a joint (or a blunt made with a hemp wrap) is your best bet.
2. Size, Burning Time & Social Experience
Blunts are nearly always bigger than joints, and therefore, contain more cannabis. A normal size joint will hold approximately 0.3 to 0.5 grams of flower. A typical blunt will hold anywhere from 1 to 2 grams of flower. The sheer volume of the wrap in a blunt also affects the burning time. The thicker tobacco wrap in a blunt burns much slower and lasts longer – often lasting anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes or even longer, depending on how well the wrap is rolled and how quickly you smoke. When I’m with friends in a relaxed setting and we’re all just hanging out and enjoying some good times together, a blunt is always our go-to choice because it’s such a long-lasting, social experience. Joints are great for a quick personal smoke or when you’re smoking with 2 or 3 other people.
3. How the Two Combine: The "Blunt High"
It’s not just about the flavor when you add tobacco to your cannabis. The nicotine in the wrap changes the experience altogether. Many smokers report that the initial nicotine high is what gives them a more stimulating lift in addition to the cannabis high. This is backed up by a study that appeared in Drug and Alcohol Dependence which found that the more frequently a person smoked blunts, the more cannabis they were likely to consume per day and the more severe their withdrawal symptoms were. This is not true for joint smokers. The study suggests that the nicotine could cause smokers to consume more cannabis and that it may also increase the risk of developing a dependence on marijuana.
4. Skill Level, Price, and Ease of Use
Practically speaking, joints are generally easier to make and less intimidating to roll. Rolling papers are very thin and flexible. Blunt wraps, on the other hand, are a little trickier. They need to be moist enough to roll easily, but not too wet so that they fall apart when you try to light them. I've had my fair share of ruined cigarillos trying to figure this out.
There is also a significant financial difference. A pack of rolling papers is cheap and produces multiple joints. A pack of cigarillos or blunt wraps is more expensive and produces fewer blunts. For those who care about saving money and are looking for a more affordable option, joints are clearly the better choice. On the other hand, for those who enjoy the long, shared experience of a blunt and are willing to pay more for it, the cost per minute of enjoyment might be worth the extra money spent.
5. Cultural Significance & Personal Identity
Lastly, the two methods have different cultural significance. Joints have been a part of cannabis culture for decades and represent a pure and traditional form of cannabis consumption. Blunts are closely tied to hip-hop culture and have a distinct urban feel. Your choice can feel like a declaration of your allegiance to either tradition. Rolling a small, slender joint with a filter tip represents your commitment to purity and tradition. Lighting a large, leafy Backwoods blunt represents your connection to a more communal experience. Ultimately, there is no right answer – only what works best for you at that particular moment and what style you identify with.
Comparison Summary: Blunt vs. Joint
Making Your Choice
Which one is right for you?
- Select a Blunt if you prefer a longer-lasting, communal session, do not mind the flavor of tobacco, and would like a potent, sedative effect that includes the effects of cannabis combined with a nicotine buzz.
- Select a Joint if you prefer to enjoy the pure, unadulterated flavor of your cannabis, prefer a smoother and possibly cleaner smoke, and would like to avoid nicotine, and prefer a quicker, more convenient method of rolling.
At the end of the day, there is no definitive answer as to which one is better, only which one is best suited to your specific needs and preferences at that particular time. By understanding the 5 fundamental differences, you will be empowered to make informed decisions regarding whether to smoke a blunt or a joint, and increase your appreciation for both of these ancient methods of consuming cannabis.