The Difference Between Joints, Blunts, and Spliffs

There are thousands of marijuana-related terms. They range from outdated jargon such as ‘reefer’ to more modern creations such as 420. Many of these words are used interchangeably. For example, Reggie, ditch weed, and schwag all denote low-quality cannabis.

However, there are a few terms you should never use interchangeably because they don’t mean the same thing at all! A prime example is joints, spliffs, and blunts. These are three entirely different ways to enjoy the herb, even if they may have the same delivery method. They all involve combusting the weed and inhaling the smoke. However, they provide different kinds of highs, primarily because they are not the same!

Joints, spliffs, and blunts are old-school methods of using marijuana. Each one has attained a degree of popularity in a different part of the world. Now, let’s examine the differences between the three ways of smoking cannabis by looking at some key features that set them apart.

A Joint

A joint is your classic marijuana smoke. The most important aspect of a joint is that it contains nothing but marijuana; hopefully, high-grade! These days, you can find pre-rolled joints fairly easily in legal states. If you want to try your hand at rolling one, all you need are rolling papers, weed, and patience. Typically, you grind up your pot, add it to the paper, roll it up, light the joint, and enjoy it!

For the most part, joints retain the same old-school light tan or white coloring. However, you can now purchase joints in a comprehensive and sometimes bizarre array of colors. If you are an advanced roller, you can try extra-large joints. Another option is the famous ‘tulip,’ which is a large bulb of weed sitting on top of the joint. The cross joint is another legendary joint option and consists of three joints attached to form the shape of a crucifix.

Where Are Joints Common?

You will find joints primarily in any location where people love getting stoned and find it easy to get herb! As you’ll discover below, spliffs are often more accessible than joints in many European countries. In general, the harder it is to find cannabis, the more expensive it is.

If you have to pay $600+ for an ounce of mid-grade marijuana, you’ll want to get the most out of it. Those who get their pot from the legal market are more inclined to enjoy a joint. This is especially the case in places such as Oregon, where cannabis is extremely inexpensive. There is no reason to add tobacco or anything else as a ‘filler.’

A Blunt

You can say that cigars and blunts are distant cousins as both bear a striking resemblance to each another. Blunts are ground-up cannabis buds wrapped in thick tobacco paper. It is the same kind of paper for rolling up a cigar. It is common practice for blunt smokers to buy cheap cigars from gas stations. Examples include White Owls, Backwoods, or Swisher Sweets.

Then, they empty the low-quality tobacco from within them, only keeping the wrapper. Next, they fill the outer shell of the cigar with the weed, rewrap it, twist it, and light it up. Certain brands of cheap cigars have become standard for making blunts out of. So much so that when you buy them, the cashier typically knows what the intended use is.

This exchange can sometimes be an awkward one but also funny. There is a silent understanding that stoners have with shopkeepers. Blunts are packed with 100% cannabis normally and don’t usually contain any tobacco. That is part of what makes them suited for weed purists who don’t wish to taint their product. Additionally, some people prefer blunts over joints because you can generally purchase cheap cigars in various flavors.

Where Are Blunts Common

Throughout the United States and Canada, for example, blunts are a standard part of marijuana vocabulary. “Roll up a blunt”. Gas stations stock Backwoods, Swishers, and White Owls. Making a blunt requires a lot of weed, as blunts are thick and packed full of 100% ganja. This is also part of what makes them so amazing for sharing in the presence of others.

Similar to joints, it seems that blunts are found in locations where marijuana is easily accessible. Cannabis is also an average price in these areas. It is more affordable in states that have a higher tolerance for pot. This means places that either recognize weed as recreationally legal or medically beneficial.

It is common to see a group of Californians hanging out in a small social kickback, enjoying a blunt. Their herb is usually fresh, and they could easily buy it at a dispensary. In states such as New York, groups of friends pitch in to get enough weed to fill up a paper. Blunts are less common in places like Europe, which is down to the high cost of marijuana. Also, it isn’t recreationally legal in any European country. Therefore, casual users purchase it from the black market.

A Spliff

A spliff and a joint are quite similar. The size and shape of a spliff are usually that of a hand-rolled cigarette. It is quite small and thin, especially when compared to a blunt. The primary thing that sets apart a spliff from a joint is that the former contains some tobacco.

The contents of a spliff are much of a hybrid, typically not going above a 50/50 tobacco and weed mix. Some individuals enjoy spliffs more because of the additional nicotine buzz that it provides.

Where Are Spliffs Common

Spliffs are more prevalent in parts of the world where good quality, inexpensive cannabis is hard to find. Additionally, in cities or countries where cigarette culture is widespread, discovering a spliff is not out of the ordinary. The United Kingdom is a splendid example of this. Smoking cigarettes is standard practice throughout the U.K. However, marijuana remains illegal recreationally.

At times, there is simply a shortage of quality marijuana, which is where rolling a spliff comes in handy. If you want your pot to last longer, mixing it with a pinch or two of tobacco is an ideal solution.

Adding in tobacco helps to mask the poor flavor of bad-quality weed. Also, tobacco may provide extra stimulation and energy due to its nicotine content. Aside from the United Kingdom, other countries throughout Europe also smoke spliffs frequently. It is an efficient way to consume cannabis. You can squeeze every last half gram out of your stash.

Which is Safer, A joint, a blunt, or a spliff

Determining which of the three is better is purely subjective. So to enable you to decide for yourself, let us examine the pros and cons of all three.

Pros and Cons of Joints

Pros: First and foremost, it is relatively easy to learn how to roll one. Aside from weed, the only things you need are rolling papers and a lighter. You can also include a filter if that is your preference.

Once you have a bit of experience, you can roll a joint in 2-3 minutes. Joints are also small and easy to transport. You can even stash them in a cigarette box! Assuming you use standard rolling papers, there is nothing to interfere with the great taste of your weed. Then there is the small matter of versatility. You can add kief or sprinkle some concentrate on your cannabis while rolling for an extra kick.

Cons: If you are a novice user, you’ll probably find that joints burn exceptionally quickly. You also have to relight them quite often. This usually happens if your rolling technique is too loose or tight. If you don’t roll a joint properly, it could also lead to sideburn. This is a royal pain in the ass that can render a joint unusable.

Pros and Cons of Blunts

Pros: If you are chasing a major high, you need to try a blunt! Even experienced users will find that a single blunt takes care of their weed needs. If the exterior consists of a tobacco leaf, you can also benefit from a mild buzz. This feeling is similar to what you might experience after a strong cup of coffee.

Blunt wrappers are far thicker than the rolling papers used for joints. As a result, a blunt will burn for a lot longer. If you’ve ever been in a group trying to pass a joint, you’ll know that you’re lucky to get in a couple of quick tokes. With a blunt, sharing is a lot easier. You will have a lot more fun when three people get stoned in the space of a few minutes!

A final benefit of a blunt is the infamous time bomb! This involves combining a joint with a blunt. After you have burned through the joint, you get an explosion of flavor. It is an experience you’ll find hard to replicate with any other form of marijuana consumption.

Cons: The main issue with blunts is the difficulty in rolling one. If you find it tough to roll a joint, trying to create a blunt will drive you insane! Even when you know what you’re doing, it can take a long time to get it done. Therefore, blunts are best saved for special occasions or as part of a group of people looking to get stoned.

Pros and Cons of Spliffs

Pros: The presence of tobacco means that a spliff burns longer than a joint. You probably won’t experience side burning because the tobacco ensures that everything burns at an even rate. The nicotine in tobacco releases adrenaline and can also increase your blood sugar levels. Spliffs have the same portability and ease of creation benefits as joints. You may also find a spliff better for clandestine smoke. The smell of tobacco can mask the tell-tale whiff of weed.

Cons: There are a couple of significant downsides to using spliffs. First of all, they don’t contain as much weed as joints, so it takes longer to get stoned. Secondly, you are putting your health at risk. While combusting weed can release carcinogens, combusting tobacco releases hundreds of cancer-causing toxins. If you don’t typically use tobacco, there is also a danger of addiction.