What's the Difference Between Joints, Blunts, and Spliffs?

The recent health trend and current buzz surrounding vaporization has left little time for conversation on the art of rolling. However, this minimalist, easily accessible, tried-and-trueconsumption method still reigns supreme globally, and combustion aside, the creative potential and skill required to craft a functional roll is celebrated among many cannabis enthusiasts.

If you're new to cannabis, there are three broad categories by which to delineate rolls (substantiated by withstanding popularity): joints, spliffs, and blunts. Each can be defined by their content (cannabis-tobacco ratio) as well as the paper material (tobacco, hemp, wood pulp, etc.).

Joints vs. Blunts vs. Spliffs: What's Inside Them?

Joints and blunts only contain cannabis, but the latter uses tobacco paper (distinguishable by their thicker weight and dark brown color) whereas joints are rolled with lighter, partially translucent papers. Spliffs are essentially hybrids, part tobacco and part cannabis. They're rolled in the same paper spectrum as joints and often include a paper filter known as a crutch. The crutch adds stability to the roll and allows you to enjoy the entire spliff without burning your fingertips.

The three rolls most notably differ by experience. Tobacco provides an initial head rush and energetic physical buzz (similar to coffee), which precedes the effects of cannabis. These effects are most notable in spliffs thanks to the loose tobacco. Blunts are generally considered the heaviest hitters, due to the interaction between the tobacco paper and cannabis, complementing strains with indica effects (or contrasting sativa-bent strains).

The Paper Difference Between Joints, Blunts, and Spliffs

The paper choice is paramount to the experience, impacting the product quantity (contingent on paper size), flavor (tobacco papers are notably sweeter than hemp paper), and burn (thicker papers tend to burn slower than thinner papers). Consumers utilize both loose papers and prerolls, the latter requiring careful deconstruction that keeps the paper intact. This is especially common for blunts, since tobacco papers are harder to come by in today’s market.

The aromatic potency of the paper is especially pertinent for all rolls, but especially joints which are without the tobacco taste. Some find flavorful papers meddle with the complex aromas of cannabis, while others grow loyal to specific brands thanks to their distinct flavor additive. This is common among blunt aficionados, who tend to cherish the sweetness of the tobacco paper.

Consumers also choose papers based on rolling ease and functionality. The best papers don’t tear, seal seamlessly, handle well between your fingers, and burn uniformly. Nothing is a surer sign of a failed roll than a joint that “runs” (i.e., burns one side lengthwise).

Global Preferences to Joints, Blunts, and Spliffs

The popularity of each of the three varies regionally, reflective of cannabis culture across the globe. Spliffs are predominant in Europe, where joints are commonly seen as “wasteful” -- however, this has the potential to change as cannabis prevalence and accessibility rises. Consumers in the United States are more inclined to roll joints than spliffs, possibly in part due to the adverse health effects of tobacco effectively broadcasted by the media over the past few decades.

Global differences in terminology are also interesting to note. In Europe, for example, the names are reversed: a joint refers to a roll with cannabis and tobacco, whereas a spliff refers to rolled cannabis exclusively. This is because a "joint" is a combination of two items instead of just one. If we were to use this vernacular above, we'd say that joints are predominant in Europe, while spliffs are seen as wasteful.

Finally, it’s important to note that joints, spliffs, and blunts are only the beginning! The landscape is expansive, and even within these three delineations, the room for artistic creation is vast. This can mean multiple connected rolls (like a cross joint), or a simple, pristine cone that showcases your dexterity and precision. What do your rolls look like?

  

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