How to Roll a Joint (When You Can't Roll a Joint): A Step by Step Guide to Rolling Perfect Joints

Having troubles rolling a joint? Try the Chopstick method.

Do you know so many people that make it look effortless to roll up a joint?

Their fingers glide over the paper, twisting the green grounded nuggets into submission in a matter of seconds and tucking the paper so quickly it almost looks like magic before presenting a J so beautiful it shouldn’t even be smoked, just preserved in the World’s Most Picturesque Joint Museum.

And when you smoke it? It burns evenly and survives many a pass; managing to retain its luster even to the last inhale.

This is not me! My joints are downright terrible. And I have been taught by the best; my talented friends have sat over coffee tables and counters patiently schooling me in their rolling methods, tucking tricks and grinding tips.

Despite their best efforts, my fingers get all stupid around the tucking phase and everything goes to hell. The paper gets all bendy and the weed starts coming out, inciting panic, and then I have this loose little creation that is smokable in an embarrassing kinda way.

How to Roll a Joint: A Step-by-Step Guide

Rolling a joint can be a fun and satisfying way to enjoy cannabis. It may seem intimidating at first, but with practice and the right tools, you'll be able to roll a perfect joint like a pro. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Gather Your Supplies

Before you begin, make sure you have the necessary supplies:

- Quality rolling papers

- Cannabis strain of your choice

- Cannabis grinder (optional)

- Joint tips, store-bought or homemade

2. Grind the Cannabis

If you're using a grinder, grind the cannabis until it's a consistent, fine texture. If you don't have a grinder, you can use your fingers or a spoon to break up the cannabis into smaller pieces.

3. Prepare the Rolling Paper

Hold the rolling paper between your thumb and index finger, and scoop some ground cannabis into it using a spoon or your fingers.

4. Shape the Joint

Press the paper into a crease that is slightly curved but not too tight. This will help ensure an even roll. If you're using a crutch (a wooden or plastic stick that helps you roll the joint evenly), insert it into the end of the rolling paper without the glue strip.

5. Roll the Joint

Roll the joint back and forth, tucking the paper into the cannabis as you go. Make sure not to overload the joint, as this can result in an uneven burn and weak flavor.

6. Seal the Joint

Once you've rolled the joint, moisten the glue on the rolling paper with your tongue and seal it by folding the sticky end tightly around the remainder of the joint.

Optional: Use a Filter Tip

If you're using a filter tip, fold it in half and insert it into the end of the rolling paper with the glue strip. Roll the filter tip downwards and press it down with your fingers to secure it in place.

7.Enjoy Your Joint

Once your joint is rolled and sealed, you can enjoy it with friends or on your own. Remember to always consume cannabis responsibly and be mindful of your surroundings.

If you're still struggling with rolling your own joints, there are tools available that can make the process easier, such as manual joint rollers or curved rolling papers. With practice and the right tools, you'll be able to roll a perfect joint like a pre-roll.

If you still can’t roll a joint or you just want to try an easier method, you need the chopstick method in your life.

You’ll need:

1 rolling paper (preferably natural papers)

1 round* chopstick

*very important that this chopstick not be a square!

Here’s the method (and keep scrolling for a video of this tutorial in action).

1. Wrap your paper around the chopstick, glue-side facing up.

2. Lick the glue, keeping the paper stabilized.

3. Roll the chopstick away from you, wrapping the paper around it.

4. When it’s all the way around (but not too tight) lick the edge and press your hand around the chopstick, wiggle the rolled paper out of the chopstick

5. Stick a filter in the larger end and use the chopstick to press it in

6. Fill the joint with weed, again using the chopstick and roll the ends and voila! You have yourself a chopstick-joint.

Video Tutorial

You can watch the full video below!

Still Having Trouble Rolling a Joint?

You might want to try this grinder + cone filler. This two-in-one tool features a grinder with a magnetically sealed lid and sharp teeth for an effortless grinding action. The grinder is triple polished and scratch resistant. It's also transparent, so you can see the process as it happens. 

The grinder has built-in storage with an air-tight seal to trap odors and keep your herbs fresh.

But the best part? The CONE FILLER. That’s right, instead of having to roll your own, you can fill up beautifully pre-rolled cones with your green. The included cone filler and packer allow you to quickly and neatly load your cones.

Available in multiple colors, this set is a perfect pick for every dry herb enthusiast. 

Now that you know how to roll a joint, what are you going to smoke?

Try this Low-THC, High CBD weed that you can have delivered to your door and read more about how to have a perfect first time experience with cannabis.

Learn the story of Miss Major Griffin Gracie, a Transgender Rights Advocate, from Aaliyah Ei, a non-binary Xicana model, activist, and cannabis lover.

Aaliyah Ei, a non-binary Xicana model, activist, and cannabis lover, known on Instagram as @thelittlebeast sat down with us to tell to discuss the life and legacy of Miss Major Griffin Gracie.

79-year-old Miss Major Griffin-Gracie is a transgender human rights activist who has been braving the fight for marginalized folks for over 40 years now! Hailing from Chicago, Miss Major ended up in New York City in the early 60s, and through her work on the streets, she soon discovered the need for increased safety precautions for herself and her peers.

Miss Major was not only present, but helped lead the Stonewall Rebellion of 1969 with comrades Marsha P. Johnson and Silvia Rivera, where she suffered a broken jaw and was arrested during the uprising. Miss Major then went on to survive the riot at Attica State Prison, where more than half of the prisoners took control of the correctional facility, holding employees hostage until their 28 demands for better living conditions were discussed and, for the most part, subsequently fulfilled. In the 80s and 90s, Miss Major found herself in California, lending her time to the community impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Recently, Miss Major was Executive Director of the Transgender Gender Variant Intersex Justice Project, which “is a group of transgender, gender variant and intersex people—inside and outside of prisons, jails and detention centers– ​creating a united family in the struggle for survival and freedom.”

As well as being an activist, she is a mother to four and a godmother to many, and just last month, Miss Major announced that she and her partner Beck Witt have another child on the way! They live together happily in Arkansas, where she continues fighting for marginalized rights.

Through our collaboration with Aaliyah, High Herstory was able to make small donations to Gizelle Marie’s Black Sex Worker Relief Fund and Lunalovebad’s Black Trans/Queerfemme mutual aid support list. For more information on both resources, or to make your own donation to these causes, click here and here. May we all be inspired by Miss Major to become activists in our lives. Being a weed lover can help us to more deeply connect with ourselves and our connection to improving the lives of all human beings.

This Cannabolish Ad Features Cannabis Consuming Moms

Watch this responsible cannabis consuming mom find an odor solution when she realizes that her book club friends are due any minute after she has been "relaxing"! We love the twist at the end and the take on cannabis consumption by everyday people. This spot does a great job highlighting how hard it can be to come forward about cannabis consumption. The days of the stigma surrounding cannabis consumers are over and this video is the perfect example of responsible adult cannabis usage. Now that more states than ever have ended the prohibition on recreational and medicinal cannabis consumption, a new trend is emerging of Mom's harnessing the plant's power of relaxation. Soon the "Wine Mom" will be replaced by the "Weed Mom".

This ad for Cannabolish, a scent eliminating odor spray, asks the viewer to re-image the people who may need an all natural smoke scent remover. Cannabolish is sold at Amazon.com & Bed Bath & Beyond and was created by the team at OMI Industries. This funny video shows how the candle and spray from Cannabolish can help to freshen the air when unexpected company arrives. This is the future of cannabis media and comedy and we love that this ad reflects what a diverse range of consumers there actually are. The less stigma surrounding this plant and the more facts we can uncover will only help to move the conversation forward. De-stigmatizing consumption is one of the first steps to normalization of cannabis use.

If you liked this commercial and want to see what kind of content High Herstory can create for your brand, visit our Work with Us Page to learn more.

This post and the ad was made in partnership with Cannabolish.

Video: How To Make Fire Cider - An Ancient Tonic For Modern Times

Fire Cider is one of my favorite tonics for cold and flu season. It is a simple yet spicy apple cider vinegar infusion that’s safe for anyone to make at home. Fire Cider is easy to make in bulk and can keep for up to a year in the fridge, but it likely won't last that long as tonics are best taken regularly like a vitamin.  I love making my first batch of the year at the end of the summer or in the early fall so it's ready to go when cold and flu season come around. 

Fire Cider's origins are based on the 4 thieves' vinegar recipe used during the bubonic plague. Legend has it, four young grave robbers were brought to the king to provide the reason they had survived contact with the dead. The boys admitted they drank an herbal vinegar infusion. For logic and Herstory’s sake - I'm going to imagine that these boys had mothers, forgotten to history,  making this recipe to help keep them safe as they tried to provide for the family during a tragic point in time. Bubonic Plague Mamma infused her vinegar with garlic, sage, rosemary, and thyme as a medicinal tonic. It seemed to work, as the royal family wanted the recipe for themselves!  Herbalist and Educator Rosemary Gladstar reinvigorated the basic recipe and you can purchase it at Mountain Rose Herbs. 

All the ingredients are affordable, can be home growable and are available at most grocery stores. If you are sold on the benefits but don’t see yourself making it at home, I also highly recommend picking up a premade bottle from Wooden Spoon Herbs. A Tablespoon a day is all you need. If you have children, you can add as much honey as you like or leave out the extra spicy peppers and replace them with elderberries/extra citrus/extra herbs. Making this with your children can fun when they come of age and giving them the task to check on the jar and shake it everyday is a fun way to involve them in learning how to take care of their bodies. Adding a splash of fire cider to their lemonade is a great trick too.  Fire Cider can even be turned into kid friendly gummies! 

FIRE CIDER CORE INGREDIENTS:

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR With the Mother!

This is what we will use to extract all the constituents from our herbs and roots. ACV is great for digestion and is easily incorporated into  your recipes. 

HORSERADISH GRATED

When grated, horseradish root releases ally isothiocyanate, a strong anti-inflammatory and antibiotic compound. It's been used for centuries to boost the immune system, prevent urinary tract infections, treat sinus infections, and aid in digestion. It’s what gives fire cider its trademark hot, pungent flavor. You can feel the spicy effects of horseradish in your nose and sinuses, which explains why horseradish is one of my number one favorite herbs for relieving sinus congestions and headaches due to sinus pressure. 

GARLIC - CHOPPED

Garlic is called the poor man’s penicillin! Garlic has potent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-cancer, and antioxidant properties. Garlic contains a high amount of cysteine, an amino acid that contains sulfur and works to support detoxification in the body. Researchers found that garlic’s heart-healthy effects seemed to result mainly from hydrogen sulfide, a chemical signaling substance formed after garlic is cut or crushed and relaxes blood vessels when eaten. I recommend cutting your garlic first, then letting it sit for 10 minutes to help allow this chemical reaction to release before infusion.

ONION  - CHOPPED

Onions, like garlic, have anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties.  Onion is a folk remedy for colds and flu, and is particularly rich in quercetin, which is strongly anti-inflammatory. Onions are a member of the allium family and have properties that may protect against certain cancers, especially digestive tract cancers. The sulfur contained in onions works to alter the behavior of precancerous cells and has antifungal and antimicrobial properties. We all know onion gets the eyes watering and the sinuses opening

GINGER GRATED

Warming, antiviral, and rich in Polyphenols (micronutrients,) ginger acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing free radical activity and reducing inflammation.  Free Radicals are unstable atoms linked to diseases like cancer.  Ginger also improves gastrointestinal health and can be used to fight nausea. Plus, the flavor is spicy and delicious!

CAYENNE PEPPER

Powder, fresh, or dried. One of the best cardiovascular herbs, cayenne helps your immune system mobilize by moving blood through the system. It's spicy, warming, and delicious.

HONEY

Honey gives fire cider the spicy-sweet edge it’s known for, and you can add more honey as needed if you’re not a fan of the more pungent flavors. Honey is antimicrobial. If you want to add honey to the original recipe, wait until the end (after the ingredients have marinated together for 3-4 weeks,) and warm the honey before stirring to make it mix easier. Heating honey up to 37°C (98.6 F) causes loss of nearly 200 components, part of which are antibacterial. Keep the temperature low, just enough to make it easier to incorporate into the liquid. 

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS TO TRY:

TURMERIC ROOT GRATED or POWDERED

Turmeric’s bright yellow color and health benefits come from cumin, an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative compound. For this recipe, I recommend using turmeric root instead of ground turmeric. Since curcumin is made more bioavailable (easily absorbed in the body) with black pepper, I recommend adding the black pepper in this recipe for maximum benefit.

BLACK PEPPERCORNS WHOLE or GROUND

Black pepper is anti-inflammatory and is being researched for anti-cancer properties. I also always include black pepper because it increases the absorption and metabolization of curcumin

JUICE & CITRUS PEEL ZESTED

Lemon and orange peels contain high amounts of calcium, potassium, and vitamin C, and are great for boosting the immune system. Many traditional Chinese medicines used citrus peels to treat coughs, fevers, and other infections. Plus, they taste great! 

THYME

Antibacterial and aromatic, Thyme had long been used to help with coughs and bronchitis. It’s packed with vitamin A & C as well as manganese, iron, and fiber.

ROSEMARY

Used as a mild pain remedy in folk medicine, this easy-to-access herb is a powerhouse. It opens the blood vessels, creating warmth through improved circulation. It’s also a powerful anti-inflammatory commonly used to help clear brain fog and cloudiness. 

OREGANO

Antibiotic, antioxidant, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory. Gram for gram, Oregano has 42 times the antioxidant level of apples, and four times that of blueberries. This is thought to be mostly due to its rosmarinic acid content. It also helps improve gut health! 

FIRE CIDER RECIPE:

1 medium organic white or yellow onion, chopped

10 cloves of organic garlic, crushed or chopped

2 organic jalapeno peppers, or any hot pepper of your choice chopped

Zest and juice from 1-2 organic lemon or orange

4-6 inches of fresh grated organic ginger root 

4 inch piece of fresh grated organic horseradish root  

2-3 inches fresh organic turmeric or 1 Tbsp. organic turmeric powder

1 tbsp Black Peppercorns

1/4 tsp. organic cayenne powder

2-3 sprigs each of rosemary, thyme and/or oregano 

Organic apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup of raw, local honey, or to taste

YOU WILL NEED:

Glass jar (I prefer the ease and cleanliness of plastic lid or you can place wax paper or parchment paper between the aluminum and the vinegar, as it can react in a negative way)  

Cutting board

Box grater or food processor 

Cheese cloth (can also use clean muslin or cotton cloth) 

Funnel 

Sharp Knife or food processor

DIRECTIONS 

Chop and grate your ingredients and put them in a glass jar. Cover with apple cider vinegar. Store in a cool dark place and shake every day. 

After 4 weeks, strain it using cheese cloth or a wire strainer.

 Warm honey and add to taste. Date and refrigerate. 

HOW MUCH FIRE CIDER SHOULD I TAKE? 

Take a shot a day as a tonic to support the immune system.

I recommend taking a tbsp every hour when you feel congestion coming on until it clears up. Enjoy!

How To: DIY Rose Facial Steam

Take your at-home self care routine with the next level with organic roses! Watch the video below to see how to incorporate the gorgeous flower into your facial with ease. Our resident herbalist, Kendall Watkins, breaks down some of the history how roses have been used in beauty rituals for centuries.

“Intoxicating, beautiful, romantic, and ancient, the rose has inspired poetry and been a powerful healing ally to humanity for centuries.”

The species of rose varies based on region but their powerful yet delicate presence scattered the countryside and stood sentinel at many a garden gate. You will find traditions using roses medicinally primarily across the northern Hemisphere. Look to the North American Indians who use wild rose flowers for colds and fever, while the seeds help to soothe muscle pains. In Europe, rose water, which is high in antioxidants, is used as a wash for skin conditions.The skin is the largest organ of the body. Keeping the skin  barrier healthy and strong helps defend our systems against pollutants, chemicals, bacteria and UV radiation. Roses are high in antioxidants, vitamin A and C  and fatty acids, Rose petals are mildly sedative, astringent, anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic. Romantic, huh? 

You can find my favorite organic roses at Mountain Rose Herbs.

Roses connect deeply to the heart and emotions. Traditionally, the inhalation of rose water vapors improves the mood with its antidepressant properties. If you try this steam I'm sure it will make you feel as though you are glowing inside and out. Make sure to select organic wild roses (fresh or dried) that have not been heavily sprayed with chemicals when you use them for medicinal or culinary purposes. Put on some comfy clothes or whatever makes you feel like a queen, relaxing tunes and breathe deep with your lungs and your skin. 

YOU WILL NEED 

A clean pot filled at least half way with clean water

A pot holder

Wooden spoon 

A blanket or towel 

Organic Roses

STEPS

Boil water and make sure your petals are clean and bug free. 

Remove water from heat once it is producing steam and rapidly boiling

Add rose petals and gentle submerge with a wooden spoon 

Sit or stand with a towel over your head and hold your face in the steam. Don't get too close, it's hot!

Breath deep and stay under as long as you are comfortable. Take breaks when needed and enjoy the intoxicating aroma. 

Let your face absorb the moisture and follow with an oil based moisturizer or your favorite facial oil. I personally love RoseHip Oil!

Video: A musical number about bongs - Watch "The Bong Song" Now