Marijuana blunt on a table next to two cannabis flower nuggets

What Are Blunts?

If you're a cannabis enthusiast, chances are you've come across some slang terms for different ways to consume cannabis, and likely, “blunts” was one of them. Blunts are a popular way to consume marijuana, offering a potent experience that differentiates them from traditional joints. Let's take a look at the world of blunts.

In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about blunts, including: 

  • What is a Blunt?
  • Why is it Called a Blunt
  • Do Blunts Have Nicotine?
  • Blunts vs. Joints: What’s the Difference?
  • Answering FAQs About Blunts
     

What is a Blunt?

A marijuana blunt is a type of cannabis roll that can be made at home using a hollowed-out cigar, cigarillo shell, or tobacco leaves filled with marijuana. The cigar wrap is carefully split open, and the tobacco contents are removed, leaving a clean and empty shell. The emptied shell is then filled with ground marijuana, creating a substantial, potent, and flavorful smoke.

Blunts purchased at a dispensary have one major difference from the ones you make at home: they’re made with hemp leaves. This ensures that you’re only consuming cannabis products and not something that may also contain nicotine.

Why is it Called a Blunt?

Cannabis enthusiast ingenuity knows no bounds, and it’s that very ingenuity that brought us blunts. The term "blunt" is believed to have originated in the early 1980s on the streets of New York City. At some point during that decade, someone thought to hollow out a Phillies cigar and put ground cannabis inside, giving canna-connoisseurs across the country a handy, discreet way of enjoying their marijuana. Because Philies already called their wider cigar a blunt, the name stuck in the marijuana world too.
 

Do Blunts Have Nicotine?

If you’re making your own blunts, maybe. Blunts made from cigarillos, cigars, or tobacco leaves may contain nicotine, for obvious reasons. When hollowing out a cigar shell to create a blunt, some traces of the tobacco may remain, which could contribute to the presence of nicotine in the smoke. 

However, if you’re purchasing blunts from a dispensary, there won’t be any nicotine in it. This is because, in most states, it’s actually illegal to combine tobacco and cannabis. Instead, dispensaries use pure hemp wraps or tobacco-free alternatives, allowing you to enjoy a nicotine-free blunt experience.

Blunts vs. Joints: What’s the Difference?

Blunts and joints share similarities in that they both involve rolling cannabis for smoking, but they differ in the materials used to create them. As mentioned earlier, blunts are either rolled at home using cigar or cigarillo shells or by dispensaries using hemp leaves. Joints, on the other hand, are typically rolled with thin rolling papers. This distinction in wrapping material may affect the flavor and overall smoking experience—especially because leaves of any kind will burn slower than rolling paper, creating a longer session to enjoy.

Additionally, joints and blunts actually look different. Certainly, it’s more than just the leaves vs paper. Blunts tend to be thicker and more dense than joints, which leads to an increase in their potency simply because they can hold more cannabis.

Answering FAQs About Blunts

More questions about blunts? We’ve got more answers. Here are just a few we’ve given this week:

Can I roll my own blunts?
Yes, you can roll your own blunts at home. All you need is either hemp leaves, a hollowed-out cigar or cigarillo, or another rolling product of your choice, a grinder to prepare your marijuana, and some basic rolling skills. While it may take you a couple of tries to get the density and roll right, practice definitely makes perfect.
 

How much marijuana is in a blunt?
The amount of marijuana in a blunt can vary depending on its size and the preferences of the roller. On average, blunts can contain anywhere from 1 to 2 (and sometimes more) grams of marijuana, making them a more substantial option compared to joints. If you’re worried about wasting that much cannabis before you get good at rolling, marijuana shake is a great option for you. It’s a budget-friendly form of cannabis that lets you get your practice in before you use your premium bud. 
 

Are blunts stronger than pre-rolls?
The strength of a blunt or traditional pre-roll depends on the marijuana strain and the amount of cannabis used. Since blunts generally hold more marijuana, they tend to be stronger and more potent compared to pre-rolls.

In many dispensaries, you can find pre-rolled blunts, bringing the best of both worlds together—no at-home rolling and great cannabis. 

 

Purchasing Blunts

Want to try blunts but without the work? There’s no arguing the convenience of ready-made blunts, and many dispensaries and cannabis retailers offer pre-rolled blunts in a variety of flavors and strains. However, if you enjoy the art of rolling and prefer customizing your smoking experience, you can purchase blunt wraps and cannabis to create your own unique blunts. Speak with one of our budtenders to find out more about blunts and how you can use them.
 


Recreational cannabis is not available in all states. Cannabis is for medical use only and may only be used by certified patients in Pennsylvania. State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and certified patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations.