How to Smoke a Pre-Roll: A Step-By-Step Guide from Karma Club

Pre-rolls are probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think about cannabis (besides the flower itself). 

They’re one of the most iconic cannabis products, and for good reason: they’re an easy-to-use, easy-to-store way to enjoy a seemingly infinite number of strains and strain-concentrate combinations. 

But to get the best experience from your pre-roll, you need to master the process of smoking them. 

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know before you light up – from the best inhalation methods to how to store your joints properly when you’re done with each session. 

What is a Pre-Roll?

Before you learn how to smoke one, it’s important to get a bit of context about what pre-rolls actually are. 

Pre-rolls consist of a small wrapping paper filled with ground, evenly packed, cannabis flower and a filter or crutch at the mouth. The filter piece helps prevent ash or other burned material from being inhaled. 

In essence, a pre-roll is the simplest way to access the cannabis experience: when you inhale burning flower, you’re getting the raw, unadulterated effects and flavors of the plant. But instead of having to roll your own joint, you can grab a pre-roll that comes ready-made. 

Pre-rolls go beyond just flower, though; there are several main types:

• Joints: Classic pre-rolls are ready-to-smoke joints packed with ground cannabis flower and wrapped in rolling paper, usually in a straight or cone shape. Most have a small paper filter, called a crutch, at one end so you can hold it comfortably and get a smoother pull.
• Blunts: Blunts are similar to pre-rolls, but they’re rolled in tobacco leaf or a cigar-style wrap instead of standard rolling paper. That gives them a heavier, richer smoke, but it also means they contain tobacco. If you’re trying to avoid tobacco, stick with a regular cannabis pre-roll.
• Infused Pre-Rolls: Infused pre-rolls are cannabis pre-rolls with added concentrate, like kief, hash, live resin, or diamonds. They hit harder than standard pre-rolls, so they’re a great fit if you’re an experienced cannabis consumer, have a higher tolerance, or are on the lookout for something new.  

At Karma Club, we offer a wide selection of premium pre-rolls to our customers in Lincoln Park, Chicago, and surrounding areas. We categorize our pre-rolls into indica, sativa, and hybrid strains. 

These three terms refer to different types of cannabis: 

• Indica strains are mentally relaxing and produce a deep body high that helps to address physical discomfort.
• Sativa strains are mentally uplifting and tend to produce euphoria, cerebral stimulation, and feelings of creativity and inspiration. 
• Hybrid strains offer a blend of relaxing and uplifting effects, creating a balanced mental and physical experience.

The effects of your pre-roll will vary depending on the type of cannabis strain (and the exact strain) it contains.

How to Smoke A Pre-Roll: Step-By-Step Guide

In theory, smoking a pre-roll is pretty simple. But if you take the time to perfect your lighting, inhalation, and storage methods, you’ll get the most out of your pre-rolls each and every time. 

Let’s get right into it:

1. Prep Your Pre-Roll

Before you light up, always inspect your pre-roll and check for tears, loose wrapping paper, and poor packing of the flower. 

These careful checks can help prevent airflow issues and “canoeing” during your session. Canoeing is when one side of your pre-roll burns faster than the other, resulting in your joint becoming canoe-shaped such that you’re not able to smoke it in its entirety. 

Here are some pre-smoke checks to perform:

• Tap The Filter Piece: The key to preventing canoeing is to ensure the flower in your pre-roll settles lightly tap the filter piece so the flower will settle toward the tip (the end you light). The filter piece (mouthprice) will either be narrower than the other end, have a cardstock crutch, or some other kind of filter.
• Do a Dry Pull: Before lighting, take a dry pull through the mouthpiece to check the airflow of your pre-roll. If the draw feels smooth with a little resistance, your pre-roll is probably packed well. If it feels too tight, too loose, or blocked, you’ll want to fix this before lighting (see next step). 
• Redistribute The Flower: If your pre-roll is packed too tightly, roll it into your fingers to loosen the flower up a bit, then tap the filter end to distribute it more evenly. If your pre-roll’s pack is too loose, tip it filer-down to settle the flower, lightly compress any soft spots, then twist the tip slightly to tighten the burn point. 

2. Light Your Pre-Roll

With your pre-roll properly prepared, it’s time to light up. 

Strike your lighter and hold the flame to the tip of your pre-roll, but don’t inhale just yet. 

Wait for the end to catch and begin glowing red. Then, to ensure the entire end is burning evenly, slowly rotate your pre-roll over the flame while taking very gentle pulls so it begins burning properly. 

If you don’t do this step thoroughly, your joint can begin canoeing – burning more on one side than on another. If this happens, dab moisture on the faster-burning to even everything out. 

If you still find your joint is packed too tightly, you can “plumb” it by using a toothpick or skewer to create a hole through the center for better airflow.

Once the end of the cone has a red “cherry” on it, you can start taking strong drags without worrying about canoeing. The cherry also helps your pre-roll produce richer smoke because every part of the joint’s end is ignited together.

3. Inhale Slowly 

Now that your pre-roll is lit and you’ve taken a few hits, it’s time to dial in your inhalation technique to get the best experience possible. 

Instead of sharp inhales, take long, slow drags. Slower drags will produce richer smoke and prevent your pre-roll from burning too hot, or worse, catching fire.

If you’re new to smoking pre-rolls, we recommend that you use mouth-to-lung (MLT) inhalation  instead of direct-lung (DL) technique. 

To do this, first draw the smoke into your mouth and hold it for a moment, then slowly breathe it into your lungs. This method is typically easier in the beginning and helps prevent coughing fits. 

If you’re a more experienced smoker, though, you can use direct-lung where you draw the smoke right into your lungs without holding it first. However, for THC and other infused pre-rolls, this can cause the smoke to feel a bit harsher.

Lastly, be sure to pause between each puff so your pre-roll doesn’t overheat and the effects don’t hit you all at once. Wait until the smoke from each drag isn’t too hot or harsh. Once you’ve found the sweet spot, you’re good to go.

4. Exhale Gently

After taking a drag, exhale slowly and comfortably to avoid coughing or exhaling the smoke too fast to experience the full effects of your strain.

With most pre-rolls, you don’t need to hold the smoke in your lungs for a long time to get the effects. Waiting too long to exhale will make the smoke harsher and won’t deliver you any additional benefit. 

Typically, the higher THC content there is, the faster you’ll feel the effects with a joint because less absorption and fewer puffs are needed. It’s not an exact science, though – do what works best for you. 

Between puffs, pay attention to how you’re feeling. If you’re experienced with cannabis products, you might be able to smoke an entire pre-roll and feel great afterward. 

But if you’re new to cannabis, you might want less, and that’s okay: there’s no rule that says you have to smoke the whole thing in one sitting. 

If you have lower THC tolerance, take a few puffs, then come back after a couple of hours to prevent feeling overwhelmed. If you start coughing, take a pause, have a drink of water, then take slower, smaller drags the next time.

5. Extinguish & Store Your Pre-Roll

If you feel like you need to take a break, don’t throw your pre-roll out!

Instead, extinguish your pre-roll by gently snuffing it out and letting it die down until it’s no longer burning. 

Be sure not to crush or stub the end like a cigarette, as this can ruin the tip of the joint and make it harder to re-light.

To store your pre-roll, let it fully cool first, then put it into an airtight container to preserve freshness and control any odors. Be sure to set the container in a cool, dark, and dry place to keep light and moisture from degrading the quality of the flower in your joint. 

Always avoid tossing your joint into a bag or stuffing it into a pocket because it can break apart, cause unwanted smells, or even re-light and catch other things near it on fire.

Proper storage is just as important as proper ignition and breathing technique. If you store it right, you’ll have a pre-roll to re-light!

Shop Chicago’s Best Pre-Rolls at Karma Club

If you’re in Chicago or will soon be, come visit us at Karma Club and check out our selection of some of the finest pre-rolls Illinois has to offer. 

Our independent recreational dispensary carries a wide variety of indica, sativa, and hybrid pre-rolls in just about every size, strain, potency, and flavor imaginable. 

Whether you’re looking to relax after a long day, have a mid-day chill, or energize yourself for a creative session, we’ve got a pre-roll you’ll love. 

We’re located in Lincoln Park and people regularly visit us from Kenwood, Rogers Park, Avondale, Uptown, and many other areas of Chicago. No matter where you’re from, we’d love to see you. Stop by our Chicago shop and discover your next favorite pre-roll.

How to Smoke a Pre-Roll: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions we frequently get from customers about smoking pre-rolls:

How Are You Supposed To Smoke A Pre-Roll?

Prep it carefully, light it evenly across the end, and take slow, steady pulls. Rotate the tip while lighting to form an even cherry, then inhale gently and pace your puffs to keep it burning smoothly.

Why Are Pre-Rolls Hard To Smoke?

Pre-rolls can be hard to smoke if they are packed too tightly, lit unevenly, or have poor airflow. Things like dry flower, bad rolling, or rushing your inhales can also cause canoeing, clogging, or harsh smoke.

What’s The Correct Way To Smoke A Joint?

The right way is to prep the joint first, ignite the tip evenly, and take slow, controlled inhales. Let the cherry form before taking full puffs and avoid pulling too hard to keep the burn even.

Do You Smoke An Entire Pre-Roll At Once?

No, you do not need to finish a pre-roll in one session. Many people, especially beginners and lower-tolerance users, take a few puffs, then gently extinguish and store it for later to control their intake and avoid overconsumption.