Joints vs. Blunts vs. Spliffs - What's the Difference between Them?

The jargon of the cannabis world can be a confusing one, especially if you're a novice toker. From snipe, schwag, to sploof and pinner, you can easily make a thesaurus out of your homie talks. But there is a consensus when it comes to deciphering the difference between Joints, blunts, and spliffs. They are so closely related and share properties that you might have a completely different idea of what they are instead of the real one. 

In this article, we hope to finally clear the air and make a distinct line between these three types of rolls. Cannabis connoisseurs can agree that rolling is an art form, with its own unique features, dopeness, and creativity. Let's explore the three types of rolls that we come across as potheads.

Joints, Blunts, and Spliffs- Introduction to the stoner language

Stoner slang is something you catch up to when you start hanging around with the bunch. From bong water to a cypher, you get the difference slowly and gradually as you become a part of it. However, the line of distinction between the three types of rolls is so hazily drawn that you often mess it up. Sure, they are used to smoke marijuana but let's face it, we consume it in various ways, each designed uniquely to serve the purpose.

With the onset of vape, the rolling community has seen a laid back trend with more people preferring the easiness and readiness of vaporizers. But as true cannabis enthusiasts, you know the minimalist, tried-and-true consumption method of smoking rolls still reigns supremely. After all, you need crafted and deft hands to roll a smoke that hits you perfectly. 

In the following section, we will be having a look at the three types of rolls, each primarily used to smoke our green friends. 

What is a joint?

Joints are easily the most known and sought after consumption method, and it is probably with this that you confuse the other two. Known as the most iconic way to toke marijuana, it can be as discreet or as huge as you want it to be. Just roll it, spark it, and smoke it!

Additionally, joints often have a crutch or a filter that is used to keep your fingertips from burning. Let's explore this in detail!

What's inside a joint?

The inside of a joint only contains one thing and this is exclusively cannabis. You can use any number of strains or mix them up to make a blend, but it is always just marijuana. The moment you mix anything else like tobacco inside your joint, you transmogrify it into something else. 

What's outside of a joint?

We already know that joints are rolled with Marijuana, but in this case, what's outside also matters. Joints usually employ thin rolling paper to do the job which can be made from different materials and have various flavours and sizes. 

The papers are widely composed of hemp, rice, paper, etc with each giving a unique characteristic to it. The size of the paper also differs, ranging from 3 inches to almost 12 foot long (not kidding, check out the RAW collection). You may have heard of the many coloured Rizla papers or the flavoursome Juicy Jays; that's how many options you have. 

The size can easily be decided on how thick or thin you want the roll to be. Once you are well-versed with the art of rolling, the thickness of the paper, the size of the joint, and the amount of cannabis become a very important aspect of the experience. 

Joint, due to its popularity, has the maximum amount of options, right from flavours which can be as sweet and as dank as you want it to be, to the material, size, and patterns. Whether you're smoking at a party with a tight group of friends, or enjoying it alone, there is always something available for the smoker in you. 

| Read More: How to Roll a Joint - A Step by Step Guide |

What is a blunt?

Blunts are certainly less common than joints, but those who smoke em' know they have their own characteristics and style that set it apart from the rest. The difference between a joint and a blunt is very minor, and with just one change, you can make the change between them. Without further delay, let's explore them.

What is inside a blunt?

The inside of the blunt, the material that is used with this type of roll, is the same as joint; only cannabis. Similar to the joints, it doesn't matter which strain you're using, it just has to be cannabis and nothing else. So where does the difference come?

You'll see.

What's outside of a blunt?

Here's where the difference between a joint and blunt start. The outer covering of the blunt is not a rolling paper made out of hemp, rice or any other material, it is strictly made with a cigar wrap, tobacco paper, and on some occasions, even from compressed tobacco leaf.

The rolling paper for blunt is rather dull with a brown hue that is indicative of its tobacco content. But for what it's worth, you get a good punch of the beautiful blend of brown and green. That's some stoner art right there! This is also another way to differentiate between joints and blunts since the colour of the rolling paper is very different from each other. You can easily get paper-lined strawberry drawings to roll a joint with but blunts are like the fashion of wearing only brown pants. If you know what I mean! ;)

Now that you know what a blunt is rolled with, it is also informative to note that like joints, they also have various sizes. Since they are rolled with cigar wraps mostly, it is usually longer than a typical small joint. But over the years, the size options have considerably expanded and now you can pick one which suits your style the best. The point is, size doesn't matter but the material of the paper does. 

There is another distinction between joint and a blunt, and that is flavour. While you can experiment with your taste buds when smoking a joint, this option is rather limited when it comes to blunt. Of course, the outer wrap of tobacco and the cannabis will make it unique in its own way, but you won't have any other material to mix and blend with. Your blunt taste also depends on the strain you choose or you can just leave it to the expert to come up with a sick blunt. 

What is a spliff?

A spliff is like a mix between joint and blunt, but of course, has its own characteristic, flavour, and distinction also. People tend to confuse the definition and may even refer to the joint as a spliff. Unless you seriously want to derange your reputation as a pothead, you should be well-versed with the difference between them.

What is inside a spliff?

A spliff has cannabis inside it, but unlike joint and blunt, it is not exclusively cannabis. Instead, it is a combination of tobacco and cannabis, with their percentage varying with your taste and mood. Spliff is also usually rolled with a filter to make it easier to handle. The mixture also tends to give you a more energetic buzz and you can expect a difference in the after-feeling. 

The ratio of tobacco and cannabis is always decided with more than 50% cannabis cause' people who like tobacco can easily just smoke a cigarette. The idea is to mingle them both for an additional effect and high. 

| Read More: A Guide to Rolling Paper Size - Everything You Need to Know |

What's outside of a spliff?

Spliff differs from joint only because of what's on the inside, but the outside is pretty much the same. In fact, if you don't know what's packed inside, you would not be able to differentiate between the two. A spliff is made with a rolling paper as discussed in the joint section. 

The spliffs are usually tan or white, depending on the type of paper you're using. But if you're feeling it, you can use any other type of paper with imprints. I mean, we won't judge. Go on, choose the polka dots one. ;)

The size, as you might have guessed, is the same as the joint. Since you're using rolling paper to make these weed art, you can choose any size you like. From King Size to the normal one, there are a plethora of rolling papers to choose from. You can also choose the thickness of the paper, and then roll some spliffs for an awesome session. 

Coming to the flavour and taste of our rolled creation, the spliff is more like a blunt rather than joint. A joint only has cannabis strain in it. But the blunt and spliff have tobacco mixed with them. The only difference is that blunt has the outer covering of tobacco while the spliff has tobacco on the inside. They might smell the same, but the flavour will differ and the spliff will pack a stronger punch of tobacco along with marijuana than a blunt. 

Finally! Some clear distinctions. I hope this was helpful enough to identify if you come across any of the three; joints, blunts, and spliffs. The expansive world of cannabis is a beautiful one, and we can only know as much as we want to. For more such articles, keep watching this space. And if you have any questions, feel free to drop it in the comment section below. 

Until next time, Ciao!