How to put out a joint

Whether you are finished with it or not, putting out a joint properly is a skill that comes in handy.

Stoners have consistently agreed that joints are one of the best ways to consume cannabis. They offer the most saturated overall experience, and they are the original form of cannabis consumption.

The thing is, sometimes a full joint will get you a bit too zooted, so you want to save the rest for later. This guide will explain how to effectively and safely put out your joint for future use.

How to put out a joint

The key to putting out a joint successfully is cutting off the burning ember's access to oxygen.

Step 1: To start, remove excess ash by tapping your joint. This will make it easier to fully extinguish the cherry in the next step.

Step 2: To fully put your joint out, stub it against a hard surface, dip the cherry in water, or gently remove the cherry.

Stubbing the joint is the simplest method. Simply press the lit end into a flat, hard surface until no more smoke is flowing. It helps to hold the joint about an inch from the lit cherry to maintain the structural integrity of the joint. Functional surfaces include an ashtray or a rock.

Dipping the cherry in water is a quick and sure way to put your joint out. The water molecules surround the burning embers and immediately cut off the oxygen supply. If you plan on finishing the joint later, it is important to only dip the glowing embers in the water so that the joint is still smokable later on.

You may also remove the cherry from the joint itself and then put it out. This can be done by lightly scraping the cherry along a hard, fireproof surface. You may need to use a metal tool to scrape out some of the remaining burning embers.

Step 3: At the end, make sure all embers are fully extinguished. Every year, over 500 people are killed in home fires caused by smoking materials. 100% of these deaths are preventable. If you want to break the habit of flicking your roaches when done with them, consider picking up a reusable filter tip that will remind you to always properly put out your joint.

Step 4: Properly store your extinguished joint in a case or pre-roll container for later consumption. 

Safety and care

Fire safety: When you are putting out your joint, it is crucial that you are aware of your surroundings. Never allow embers to come into contact with flammable materials, and always ensure that all embers are fully extinguished before leaving an area. We enjoy lighting up, but we definitely don't want to light up our home or a forest.

Environmental Consciousness: Many people have the habit of flicking joints when they are finished with them. The thought is that this material is biodegradable, so it is fine as long as they are put out. A joint outside may not only leach chemicals (glue and ink from paper/filter, foreign substances in filter, burnt resin) into the ecosystem. They also may be mistaken to be food by an animal, leading to their sickness or death. Take proper care when disposing of your joints, and consider checking out alternative ways to avoid single use filter tips.

Wrap up

Smoking a joint is a beautiful way of consuming cannabis. It is important to take the proper steps to put out your joint, especially when you would like to light it up later. 

Toke with intention. Till next time.