Ahh, the refreshing pull of a freshly lit joint… Can anything in the world beat it? We don’t think so. And while nothing can top a perfectly slow-burning joint at the end of a long day, there are certainly a handful of things that can actually ruin your joint and session. Trying to smoke a poorly lit joint burning raggedly sits firmly at the top of that list, especially considering how avoidable the issue is.

That’s why it’s well worth your time to learn how to properly light a joint if you want to get the most out of your sessions and the herbs you are burning. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know to keep those joints burning clean and evenly. We also included a rundown of a few of the most common mistakes you should avoid to ensure that your greens never go to waste again.

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Is There Really a ‘Right’ Way to Light a Joint?

Let’s just make this nice and clear - yes, there absolutely is a ‘right’ way to light a joint. Or, to put it more accurately, there are undoubtedly many wrong ways to get that joint lit, which can leave you struggling to get a decent pull in addition to wasting those precious greens.

While you may be tempted to hold the joint between your lips and light it like you would a cigarette, doing so is arguably the equivalent of baking up a batch of edibles without first decarboxylating your cannabis. In other words, you’d be robbing yourself of the full flavor, effects, and potential of your joint by taking such a “shortcut.”

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The Perils of an Improperly Lit Joint

When you don’t give your joint, blunt, or pre-roll time to fully light before trying to smoke it, you are basically guaranteeing that some parts of it will be burning much quicker and unevenly than other parts. Unlike tobacco, cannabis needs a chance to really get lit before you will be able to smoke it.

Failing to light a joint evenly can lead to the dreaded phenomenon known as “canoeing.” This is when a portion of the joint is rapidly burning while the rest of the joint remains unlit or barely lit. A tell-tale sign of a canoeing joint is when half of the joint appears to be burning down towards the filter while the other half remains long and unburnt.

Typically, when a joint is canoeing, the lit part will be burning much faster than the unlit part, which ultimately leads to wasting plenty of still-smokeable weed while inhaling harsh, burnt smoke. Fortunately, with a little attention and patience, canoeing is an issue that can usually be avoided altogether!

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How to Properly Light a Joint So That It Burns Evenly

When it comes to knowing how to properly light a joint, you can follow a few steps to ensure you get the best burn possible. The steps below outline everything you need to know before lighting your next joint or pre-roll, followed by some basic do’s and don'ts worth keeping in mind to maximize your session.

1. Hold the joint or pre-roll between your thumb and index finger so that you can easily roll the joint as you light it, ensuring the flame is evenly applied.
2. Light your lighter or hemp wick away from the joint, and slowly bring the flame to the tip of the joint.
3. As you hold the flame to your joint, slowly roll it in your fingers so that the flame evenly lights all sides of the joint at an even rate. Continue to do this until the joint is “cherried,” meaning that the tip is completely lit and glowing red on its own.
4. Once the joint is cherried, slowly bring it to your lips and gently inhale. It’s important to remember that the first couple of puffs are the final step to getting the joint properly lit. You don’t want to inhale too hard at first, or you run the risk of heating the joint too quickly and wasting precious product.
5. Double-check the end of your joint is evenly cherried- if it still looks like it’s uneven, you may need to apply some more flame to even it out.
6. Finally, once the joint is lit and burning evenly, you can begin to start slowly inhaling the smoke into your lungs. Most of the time, you will want to start slow and easy to ensure the joint stays evenly lit.

Do This

• DO Use A Hemp Wick: Many benefits come from lighting your joints with a hemp wick. These include the fact that they are better for your health than traditional butane lighters and are more environmentally friendly. Hemp wicks also burn slowly and gently, which allows you to apply a smooth, even burn to your pre-roll without the risk of scorching up all the good stuff before you get a chance to sample it.
• DO Be Patient: We know you’re eager to get that first hit in, but take your time to make sure your joint is lit the first time correctly. You won’t be disappointed. Failing to do so will result in wasted weed and harsh, smoky tokes.
• DO Make Sure Your Herbs Are Evenly Ground: When it comes to enjoying your joint, the quality of your cannabis is just as important as how evenly it is ground. Weed that is not uniformly ground will naturally burn unevenly, and it will be hard to control the quality and duration of the burn as a result.

Don’t Do This

• DON’T Inhale While You’re Still Lighting It: Trying to inhale your joint as you light it, like you would a cigarette, is not only a good way to scorch your joint, it can be quite frustrating as well. Save yourself the trouble. Take an extra minute to ensure it is lit before you try to inhale any smoke.
• DON’T Try To Light A Joint That Is Too Tightly/Loosely Packed: If you have followed the steps above and are still having a hard time getting your joint lit, there’s a good chance it is either too tightly or loosely packed. A joint that is too loose and baggy will allow too much air to flow through the joint, extinguishing your cherry and forcing you to re-light again and again. On the other hand, a joint that is too tightly packed doesn’t allow enough air to flow through, meaning that it won’t be able to keep itself lit or allow you to inhale anything through it.

How to Put Out a Joint (So That You Can Enjoy It Later)

Not every joint needs to be enjoyed in a single session, of course. So how can you ensure that your joint is extinguished in a way that leaves it usable for the next time? It’s simple, really. All you need to do is gently push the lit end of the joint against the side or bottom of your ashtray. You only need to apply a little bit of pressure to put the joint out; if you use too much, you risk crushing what’s left of your joint, making it unusable.

If you have a joint storage tube on hand, you can also gently place your joint in it and seal the lid to “suffocate” the joint.

All in all, many places, situations, and moods can be improved with a nice toke as long as you know how to properly light a joint. To get the most out of it, all you need to do is take a little extra care, and you will be on your way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use a regular lighter to light a joint?
A: Yes, you can use a regular lighter to light a joint. However, using a hemp wick is a healthier and more environmentally friendly option.

Q: How tightly should I pack my joint?
A: It's important to find the right balance. A joint that is too loose will burn too quickly, while a joint that is too tightly packed won't allow proper airflow. Experiment with different packing methods to find what works best for you.

Q: Can I save a partially smoked joint for later?
A: Yes, you can save a partially smoked joint for later. Simply extinguish the lit end by applying gentle pressure and store it in a joint storage tube or airtight container to preserve its freshness.

Now that you know how to properly light a joint, why not stop by our Kelowna Dispensary or West Kelowna Dispensary in the Okanagan Valley and stock up on some fresh greens or pre-rolls today!