If you'd like to avoid reading, the titles give a good summary!
So you're considering your first time smoking a joint? Get ready to embark on a journey of camaraderie, relaxation, and probably a cough or two. This guide is here to show you the strategies that seasoned smokers employ when rolling up and enjoying a nice joint.
Since the conception of smoking marijuana (as far back as the Ancient Greeks), users have enjoyed the effects of marijuana on the mind, body, and spirit.
Whether you are lighting up with a friend or enjoying a joint to yourself, it's important to be aware of the tips to make you sessions as pleasant as possible. We at 1235 Smokes will bring you content that ensures you are mentally equipped to enjoy your first time smoking a joint.
That's Quite a Few People..
By the end of 2022, approximately 52 million people in the United States had smoked at least once in their life. In 2021, this number was approximately 40 million. This means that, on average, approximately 33,000 people smoked cannabis for the first time each day.
Cannabis use has been growing substantially, and one of the most popular methods consuming cannabis is through a joint. Joints are a very enjoyable, simple form of smoking cannabis, and are a great way to start if you have never smoked before.
Here we go!
If you are looking for a pleasant experience when you smoke your first joint, you have come to the right place. In this guide, I'll toss you some
tips (heh) on how to apply proper joint etiquette along with some tips for the actual process of smoking!
Joint Etiquette (for smoking in a group)
Smoking a joint amongst friends is a communal experience - as such, it fosters an environment of connection and relaxation. Think of it as a group hug, with a little less physical contact and lot more laughter. The tips in this section will ensure this ambiance is fostered without those awkward "who goes next" moments or inadvertent coughing symphonies.
1. The roller lights the doobie
I was at Red Rocks once and decided to light up a joint that I had rolled prior to the show. When I pulled it out, an eager onlooker came up and said "Is that a joint?? Let me get that thing going!!" I tried dismissing his request, but he was very persistent, so I decided to let him go for it.
I gave him the joint and lighter, and he proceeded to light only half of the joint, causing it to canoe (for canoeing definition/tips, see below). Needless to say, canoeing is not desirable. It ended up being ok because I had rolled a few extra joints, but it's a bit sad to see a well rolled joint turn into a canoe.
Moral of the story - let the person who rolled the joint light it, or allow them to designate this task to someone else. This way, no one else is to blame if mistakes are made.
2. "Puff, puff, pass"
When you receive the joint, how many hits do you take/how long do you hold onto it? "Puff, puff, pass" is a common phrase used to remind how long you should have the joint. Take a puff, relax a bit and take a few breaths, take another puff, and pass the joint along. When you're holding the joint, it's not the best time to give your speech on how lizard people rule the world... save that for when the joint isn't in your hand.
If it's your first time, remember to inhale gently so that you don't miss the next round because you are coughing!
3. Avoid pursing your lips
Remember, a joint isn't a milkshake - no need to suck on it like a straw!
Keep the drier portion of your lips in touch with the paper to be courteous to the people you're with. This is especially important when no filter is used because the paper will stick closed to itself if it is wet, and you won't be able to draw.
4. Passing the joint
If you are smoking in group of people, joints are generally passed either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction (proper practice is clockwise, or to the left) throughout the group.
Question is, when you receive the joint - do you want the end that's blazing like a torch, or the end that's chillin like a cucumber? Probably the chillin cucumber.
When I pass my joints, I hold them above the filter and point the filter towards my homie so they have an easy, quick way to grab the joint. We are all about making life easier for the people around us.
*Note - one instance where you may pass the joint with embers facing the recipient is if it is very dark and the embers help the recipient see the joint
5. Quick Tips
-Contribute materials to the roll. Our
filter tips make a great surprise addition to any joint! You may also bring papers, THC flower, or snacks.
-After you smoke, ash the joint so that the ash does not fall on the person next to you.
-Blow your smoke upwards to avoid hitting your friends in the face with your second hand smoke.
-Stay present, and enjoy your time. Remember to smile! You are amongst friends who are experiencing life, and it is a gift to be in this moment. Cherish it.
General Tips for Beginners
1. Prepare Properly
Some things to have prepared before you smoke your joint:
-Something to do: hang with friends, draw, write, enjoy a movie, listen to
music, etc.)
-Things to avoid: driving, operating machinery, people you are uncomfortable around, and general dangerous situations
-Lots of water: It's easy to get cottonmouth when you are high
-Food: what will you eat? Getting high causes the munchies, so have a [potentially healthy] snack prepared
-Nothing imminent on the to-do list: you want to be able to relax when you're high, so make sure you're free from immediate obligations
2. Use a filter when rolling
Filters make rolling much easier - it helps hold the clean, cylindrical shape of the joint, acting as a guide. They also prevent the paper from closing while your lips are around it, allowing for smoother draws. Once you are closer to finishing your joint, the filter prevents your fingers from getting burnt.
You can make filter tips! You may use the thick paper from the flap of the rolling papers to form a spiral or an "M" shape the size that you would like your joint to be. Then simply roll around that. Avoid letting the embers come in touch with the filter you made, as the paperboard often has inks, dyes, bleach, and other toxic chemicals within when they're burned.
Another option is to use these
eco friendly, reusable filter tips. They make rolling substantially easier because they grip the paper and are flexible. They are each reusable to 30+ times, so you will consistently have immediate access to high quality filter tips! Similar to the paper filters, it is best not to let the embers come in contact with the tip of the filter. This can damage the filter, so it will not last as long.
3. Avoid canoeing - light the joint evenly
A "canoe" is a joint that burns unevenly. It ends up only burning a half of the joint, leading to a "canoe" look as seen above.
If your joint was rolled tightly and evenly, it should burn evenly - as long as you light it evenly. Using hemp wick or matches (lighters have butane that we shouldn't inhale), light the tip of the joint while gently puffing on it and twisting the joint, ensuring to light all 360 degrees.
3. Make sure you inhale the smoke
The first time I smoked, we passed around a blunt that had an 8th of flower and keif peppered throughout - I was quite zooted from the experience, so I'm not sure what it's like to not get high the first time.
People sometimes don't fully inhale when they smoke the first time - they rip the joint more like a cigar and keep the smoke in their mouth. This is a great way to not get high. To make sure this isn't you, be sure to inhale the smoke into your lungs.
Start out with a small puff. Imagine you're sipping from a hot pot of coffee, not chugging water after a sprint. If you still cough, there's no shame in that! Even the most seasoned smokers occasionally cough from particular rips; you are simply joining the club.
4. Inhale air with smoke to take it easy on your lungs
Instead of giving your joint a tight lipped embrace, leave openings on the sides of your mouth to allow clean air to flow in with the smoke. This lowers the average air temperature, and helps take care of your lungs.
After you finish inhaling from the joint, it also helps to inhale some clean air (preferably through your nose) to further distribute cooler air throughout. Hold your breath for a couple of seconds on the inhale, then release through your mouth.
5. Pro tips if you're using our filters
One positive of having
our soft filters is that at the end of the joint, they are easy to put out. When the embers are close to the filter (but not touching!), all you have to do is pinch the filter close to the herbs and roll it between your fingers over an ashtray or non-flammable area where the ashes can fall and will not be blown around. This will expel the contents, including the embers, from the joint without stinking up your fingers.
Once the contents are out, simply pinch the filter where the paper meets the filter and rip it off, leaving you the filter tip by itself, ready to be reused or cleaned.
To clean our filters, simply put them in the container in which they came, add some warm water and dish soap, close the top, and shake! For more stubborn residues, add isopropyl alcohol and Epsom salt and shake.
Tie it all together
Take it easy on yourself - this guide is meant to be just that, a guide. If you don't hit all of the points your first joint, no worries. There will be plenty of opportunities to smoke joints in the future!
I hope this guide was helpful for you all in your forthcoming adventures. Keep in mind, smoking a joint is about more than getting high - it's about the camaraderie, good times, and enjoying the present moment. So sit back, take a deep breath, and have some fun as you puff on.
