Joints, blunts and spliffs: what are the differences, pros and cons?

If you’re a less casual or new user of weed, you might have heard the terms joint, blunt and spliff by other users of weed. You’ll often hear cannabis smokers ask if you’d like to go smoke a blunt. Or, a joint. Heck, you might have even said this yourself! But did you know that a joint and a blunt are two different things? They are often mistakenly used synonymously. Less commonly heard is smoking a spliff, though it too can often be confused with a joint or blunt. Visually, they all look quite similar. However, they are indeed different ways of smoking weed, and offer different pros and cons!

Joints

The joint is undoubtedly the most popular and perhaps even most iconic way of consuming and smoking cannabis. Joints consist of ground cannabis rolled in thin, often white papers. Such rolling papers come in a huge variety as well. So every now and then, you might see a joint rolled in unique novelty rolling papers that are coloured or printed, and may even be infused with flavours like fruity blueberry or bubblegum!

They can be made from a number of different materials, including, of course, traditional paper, or hemp, rice, flax and more. Joints also come in a variety of different sizes and types, with some more common ones being singles, 1 ¼, 1 ½, wide, and king, and thin, ultra thin or wide. They are typically used with a filter towards the non-burning, or drawing end. This gives it a bit of form and adds stability, while also allowing you to hold onto it without burning your fingertips.

Blunts

A close runner up to the joint, the blunt is the next most popular way of smoking weed. Numerous references in rap and hip hop songs from the likes of Snoop Dogg have definitely helped popularize it. Its mainstream references, however, have probably also led to its mixup with the joint. Really the only difference between these two is that blunts use a different wrapping material.

Blunts still consist of ground up weed, but instead of regular rolling papers, they are wrapped in a blunt or wrapper made of tobacco. They can also come flavoured. Some users might even cut open cigars and empty them to use the wraps for blunts. This little bit of tobacco from these blunt wraps adds a bit of a buzz to your cannabis high. They also tend to be bigger than joints and spliffs, so last longer as well. These are often used more often socially or on special occasions.

Spliffs

While probably not as widely mentioned as the above two in mainstream culture, spliffs are still super popular! They are a bit of a combination between joints and blunts. They also consist of ground up weed and use regular rolling papers like joints, but like blunts, they also consist of tobacco. How, you might ask? The tobacco is mixed in directly with the weed prior to rolling! So it’s basically a joint with a bit of tobacco blended into the ground up weed filling. Like blunts, it also gives you a bit of a buzz from its tobacco infusion. These also use filters and can use a variety of different flavoured or sized papers. The ratio of weed to tobacco is really up to your preference!

Pros and Cons

Everyone has their own tastes and preferences when it comes to marijuana usage, though there are some general pros and cons that most can agree with when it comes to joints, blunts and spliffs.

Joints

Pros

• Small, therefore portable and also easy to tuck away for later
• Excellent for both individual use and sharing

Cons

• The smell of cannabis is poignant as it burns, and thus not discreet

Blunts

Pros

• Adds an energizing buzz
• Tends to be larger and longer lasting for further sharing or larger doses

Cons

• Flavour from tobacco can be too strong for some
• Tend to be larger so can be excessive for light users
• Can’t control the amount of tobacco since it’s already infused in the wraps

Spliffs

Pros

• Small and portable like joints
• Has a stronger tobacco smell so is more discreet than a joint
• Excellent for both individual use and sharing
• You can control the amount of tobacco in the filling

Cons

• Flavour from tobacco can be too strong for some like blunts

Conclusion

Like trying out new cannabis strains, you’d only know what would be suitable for you by trying out these different methods of smoking weed! Test, test, test, and as usual, be wary of dosage, especially with tobacco if you’re want to add a bit of a buzz! Just remember to be safe and have fun. Grab your favourite weed strain and try out delicious flavours of rolling or wrapping papers to add some excitement to your cannabis experience! 

To help you with your joint, blunt or spliff experience, Green Society carries a variety of papers and wraps, including yummy strawberry and honey bourbon flavours! Order now to get it delivered directly to your door!