Looking back at the cannabis market during the last decade – it’s very clear that we’re in the midst of shifting consumer habits and demands at the dispensary counter. The cannabis market in general has changed dramatically. More and more consumers are opting for more accessible and more convenient ways to enjoy weed as marijuana becomes legalized in more places around the globe.
This focus on convenience has pushed producers to keep up with increasing demand, which is leading to the increased adoption of pre rolls (aka pre rolled joints).
These handy little pre-rolls eliminate the hassle of rolling your own joint. They’re easy to take with you and share with friends and are generally pretty cost-effective. It’s a win-win-win scenario.
However, buying any old pre roll off the shelf of your local dispensary may push you to ask some questions. What kind of weed is being used here? Are these pre rolls high quality or made with cheap weed? How are these pre rolls even made? What’s the difference between infused pre-rolls and regular pre rolls?
The questions stack up quickly, but there’s no need to worry. If you enjoy having a joint but want to avoid the nuisance of rolling your own, these convenient pre rolls could be your best friend.
Let’s take a deeper look and explore everything you’ll need to know about pre-rolls and how dispensaries make them.
What Are Pre Rolls?
Pre rolls are, more or less, just joints assembled ahead of time. The difference from rolling your own joints isn’t too dramatic beyond that fact. The most noticeable difference between the two is that consumers have more control over what weed and papers they use if they roll a joint themselves. Secondly, if you’re not a master at rolling joints, you’ll probably get better results grabbing some from your local dispensary.
Generally speaking, most pre rolls advertise on their packaging the kind of weed they’re using – in addition to the papers. For many, this isn’t too big of an issue. Any marijuana store clerk worth their weight will be able to walk you through different pre-rolls they have and which they’d recommend so you can steer clear of choices you don’t want.
There are a few significant differences to note between the various types of pre rolls that can help you make a better selection the next time you stop by a dispensary. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to get pre rolls delivery depending on what your state laws are, and if the businesses in your area offer this service.
Some of the most common pre rolls you’ll come across are:
- Sativa pre-rolls: As you may (or may not) already be aware, there are two main types of cannabis: Indica and Sativa. Sativa pre rolls are made with the Sativa chemotypes of cannabis (as per their namesake). Generally, people who smoke these joints experience an energetic effect instead of the expected sluggishness traditionally associated with Indica-based strains.
- Indica pre-rolls: As with the previous variety of pre rolls, Indica pre rolls get their name from the Indica chemotypes found within many strains of cannabis. These pre rolls have a more relaxing effect and are more in line with the established view of marijuana.
- Infused pre-rolls: Infused pre rolls are made not only with dried marijuana flower but also cannabis extract, leading them to pack quite a punch. These joints have a definite potency and flavor for the more avid fan of weed.
- Hybrid pre-rolls: Hybrid pre rolls feature cannabis grown from hybridizing two or more unique strains, typically an Indica with a Sativa. Realistically, most pre rolls will be hybrids, as traditional landrace strains often possess unique challenges in terms of growth patterns, nutrient requirements, and yields. Bottom line: growers don’t want to fight against difficult-to-manage plants!
High-Quality Pre Rolls – How These Handy Joints Get Made
Knowing the difference between the many types of pre-rolls is helpful information, but knowing how these joints get made might put you at ease if you’re still hesitant about the quality of these marijuana products.
Depending on the manufacturer, pre-rolled joints can be made in a few different ways. However, the most apparent difference between producers is whether or not they have actual people in-house rolling each joint individually or if they have a commercial pre roll machine that use prepared cones to manufacture thousands of pre rolls at once.
Neither option is necessarily better in terms of quality (even though “hand-prepared” pre rolls have a certain allure to them), but it’s something to be aware of.
Machines such as STM Canna’s RocketBox 2.0 are examples of how a pre roll machine should work, as it uses a combination of gravity and vibrations to shake dried marijuana flower into cones, effectively creating 453 pre-rolls per cycle!
From there, your pre-rolls can be packaged and readied for sale! So, before going out and picking the first pre roll you find on the shelf, do a little research into the manufacturer themselves and find out what kind of gear they’re working with and if they’re abiding by FDA regulations.
You can even find “pre roll packs” (multiple joints sold together) available at a discount from some stores.
It may seem funny to think of weed as having to undergo the same rigorous scrupulousness of the FDA. Still, it’s a definite must for anyone who wants to enjoy marijuana safely.
This is after all a substance that people are vaping, inhaling, eating, drinking & even rubbing onto their bodies as salves – so it makes sense that many of us want to know how the products we consume, are made.
How Strong Are Infused Pre-Rolls?
We touched on pre-rolls earlier, but for those who enjoy joints but are looking for something with a bit more flavor and potency than your traditional joint, these might be the best bet for you.
However, answering how much stronger this variety is compared to regular pre rolls gets tricky. That’s because they are different types of infused pre rolls that up the ante differently.
For example, your infused pre-roll could not only have cannabis extract in it along with the dried marijuana flower, but it could also be dipped in kief or have resin, wax, or highly potent additives.
When buying an infused pre-roll, clarify what additional terpenoids or additives could have been mixed in. While it can be a great way to put some extra oomph in standard pre rolls cones, it might be more than you bargained for, depending on your tolerance.
