Blunt vs Joint vs Spliff – Key Differences

You’ve probably heard of them used in media, movies, and all over the cannabis community, but what really are the differences between a blunt vs. joint vs. spliff? From a quick glance, they might all look the same in physical appearance. Well, a blunt is probably the only one that stands out. But other than that, it can get confusing deciphering between a blunt vs. joint vs. spliff. Is one stronger than the other? Is there a different method for rolling each one? Will I experience the same effects?

A blunt is a heavy hitter wrapped in tobacco paper and filled with a large amount of marijuana.

A joint is wrapped in regular rolling paper and contains only marijuana.

A spliff may look the same as a joint as it’s also rolled in rolling paper, but it actually contains tobacco as well as marijuana to give you that added kick.

But there’s certainly more to the blunt vs. joint vs. spliff mystery that we’re going to break down today. We’ll walk you through potential costs, the best times to smoke each one, as well as rolling methods.

By the end of this, you’ll pretty much be an expert on all things blunt, joint and spliff. You’ll also have a much clearer understanding, which will help you decide which one is best for you. Let’s jump right into it.

 

Differences Summarized

If you want to get down to the good stuff in a rush, here are all the differences between each in this quick overview.

	Contents	Amount	Paper Type	Burn Time	Effects	Preferred In…
Blunt	Marijuana and tobacco	Large amount of marijuana and tobacco due to large paper	Tobacco paper – can be bought on its own but can also get from inside a cigar	Long and slow because tobacco paper is thicker	Intense effects due to thick tobacco paper and its interaction with the cannabis	Anywhere globally, but particularly popular in urban communities.
Joint	Marijuana	Small amounts of marijuana due to small paper	Rolling papers are typically made from hemp, flax, or rice or wood pulp	Fast because the rolling paper is thinner	Typical reaction to marijuana – depends on how many joints are smoked	Most common in the United States and Canada.
Spliff	Marijuana and tobacco	Ratio can be modified between marijuana and tobacco	Rolling papers are typically made from hemp, flax, rice or wood pulp	Fast because the rolling paper is thinner	Blend of marijuana and tobacco gives the user a high and a buzz	Most common in European countries.

 

 

What is a Blunt?

A blunt isn’t for the faint of heart, as it’s the most intense out of the three. A blunt is marijuana that’s been rolled inside a tobacco wrap. A tobacco wrap is used instead of regular rolling paper because it’s made to give you a more intense high, where the tobacco adds a buzz.

Blunts are typically larger in size than joints and spliffs – both vertically and in terms of width. You can buy blunt wraps from most tobacco stores, but you can also get them from a cigar. Simply empty out the contents of the cigar, wet it, and that’s your wrap to make a blunt.

If you’re looking for a slow burn, where you can really kick back and relax over a long period, then go for a blunt. Due to the thickness of the paper, it takes a lot longer to smoke. It’s for this reason that a lot of people reserve blunts for special occasions. But, there are certainly plenty of people out there who choose blunts every time they smoke.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy to light
• Long and slow burn
• Perfect for sharing
• Addition of tobacco gives you an extra buzz
• Available in different flavours
• Intense effects

Cons

• Can be too intense for some people
• Tobacco can add a strange taste
• Some people don’t enjoy flavours
• Can be difficult to roll

How Much Does a Blunt Cost?

Tobacco wraps for blunts can go anywhere from $2 a pack to $7 or over for about three to five blunts. You can also get packs of multiples, like 50 wraps for $30. Add that to however much you paid for your tobacco and weed, and that’s your final price.

CTV News released a helpful article on marijuana prices across Canada. For example, 1g costs $6.99 – $13.99 and 3.5g costs $24.99 for British Columbia.

When Should I Use a Blunt?

Since blunts are one of the more intense forms of smoking cannabis, you should use them when you’re going for a heightened high. You should also use it if you enjoy a nice buzz or slight boost in energy, thanks to the added tobacco. They’re also great for sharing, especially in smaller, more intimate circles because of the slow burn.

How to Roll a Blunt

• Prep the blunt by wetting the wrapper. Don’t forget to dry it off afterwards with some paper towel, but make sure it’s still damp so that it doesn’t crack.
• Fill the wrapper with your weed of choice. A standard size needs around 2g.
• Roll it up between your fingers to make the weed compact. Tuck the wrap under itself and wet it again lengthways.
• Gently seal it using a lighter.

What is a Joint?

Probably the most popular of them all, a joint is small and compact but packs a punch when you need it. A joint is a marijuana that’s been rolled inside thin rolling paper made from things like hemp, flax, or pulp from rice or wood.

You can get rolling papers that come with all sorts of patterns and colours, but the most traditional ones are plain white. The most used sizes include single sizes, 1 ¼, 1 ½, and wide and king sizes. While not everyone’s preference, some enjoy papers with flavourings like chocolate or grape.

Unlike blunts, joints come with a “filter” or tip at one end. This makes it more stable and secure while rolling, but also ensures you don’t heat up your fingers once you finish smoking.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy to light
• Small size
• Portable
• Great for sharing
• Lets you put out to smoke later

Cons

• Not very discreet
• Can be difficult to roll

How Much Does a Joint Cost?

You can buy a pre-rolled joint at an average price of around $7.50 to $8 per joint. You can also get packs of pre-rolled joints to keep you well-stocked for a while. These can run from $20 for a pack of 3, to $120 for a pack of 20 joints.

It can depend on the quality, though, so make sure you’re not just going for the lowest prices. Always do your research when it comes to buying pre-rolled joints so that you know what’s inside and what you’re putting in your body.

When Should I Use a Joint?

Joints are a great starting point for anyone who wants to try out smoking weed. There is no tobacco inside, so you aren’t getting any adverse effects from that, and they’re a little easier to manage in terms of cerebral effects.

Use a joint when you’re smoking with one or two friends (it burns pretty quickly) or just by yourself to switch off and relax.

How to Roll a Joint

• Make a tip or “filter” using something like a thin piece of cardboard. This isn’t actually a filter as you’re not filtering the weed, but it’s more of a crutch to help you hold the joint and avoid burning fingers.
• Put the tip at one end of the rolling paper.
• Fill the paper with weed – anywhere from ½ a gram to 1g is enough.
• Roll the paper by pinching it and going back and forth to make it compact.
• Tuck the paper, roll again, and “glue” the part sticking out using some saliva or water.
• Finish it off by twisting the end without the tip so that no tobacco can fall out – you don’t have to do this if you’re smoking it right away.

 

What is a Spliff?

A spliff is essentially like a joint, but it contains tobacco as well as marijuana. In fact, most of the time it contains more tobacco than blunts. This means you’ll get more of a buzz, rather than a couch-locking high. This does depend on the type of weed, though.

Spliffs are typically the cheapest out of all three options. This is because there is tobacco added in which can cut costs, but they’re also isn’t as much weed as what you’d put in a blunt. Spliffs are most common in Europe, as they are viewed as “less wasteful” than joints since you’re stretching out the weed with tobacco.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy to light
• Small size
• Portable
• Great for sharing
• Lets you put out to smoke later
• Discreet as it seems like you’re smoking a cigarette

Cons

• Not intense enough for some people’s taste
• Some people find that tobacco ruins the experience with the weed
• Can be difficult to roll

How Much Does a Spliff Cost?

Spliffs are generally less expensive than a joint because you’re cutting the cost by including tobacco. Using tobacco from cigarettes or packs of tobacco will cut costs as you’re using it to spread out the amount of weed you have.

When Should I Use a Spliff?

Use spliffs just how you’d use a joint, except keep in mind that you’re getting more of an energetic buzz. This means they are great for daytime use in most cases, as they won’t completely knock you out. They’re still perfect for helping you chill out and wind down.

How to Roll a Spliff

• Make a tip or “filter” using something like a thin piece of cardboard. This isn’t actually a filter as you’re not filtering the weed, but it’s more of a crutch to help you hold the joint and avoid burning fingers.
• Put the tip at one end of the rolling paper.
• Fill the paper with weed and some tobacco – you can change the ratio depending on your preferences.
• Roll the paper by pinching it and going back and forth to make it compact.
• Tuck the paper, roll again, and “glue” the part sticking out using some saliva or water.
• Finish it off by twisting the end without the tip so that no tobacco can fall out – you don’t have to do this if you’re smoking it right away.

 

Final Thoughts

The differences between a blunt vs. joint vs. spliff come down to what they are being wrapped with, as well as what’s going inside. A blunt is on the heavier side with tobacco wrap and a large amount of weed, while joints and spliffs use thinner rolling paper. Spliffs contain tobacco as well as weed for a buzz and a high. When it comes to choosing the right one, it all depends on your personal preference. If possible, try out each method to find out which one you enjoy most. Or who knows – perhaps you’ll fall in love with all three methods and interchange between them on the regular.