Smoking a fat, perfect joint is easily one of the best ways to enjoy cannabis. However, if it is your first time or you haven’t smoked cannabis in years, you may not be sure about how to light a joint properly. Even if you're a cannabis connoisseur, if your joints burn unevenly, you might need to brush up on the basics. Understanding the best way to light a joint is essential to have a positive smoking experience.
Thanks to its convenience, joints are one of the simplest ways to consume cannabis and share it with friends. For this reason, everyone has their own style of lighting a joint. However, this doesn’t mean that there isn’t a technique involved; creating the perfect burn depends on many factors that will ultimately give you a supremely enjoyable smoking session.
"It's dangerous to go alone! Take this."
How to Properly Light a Joint
Before going into the process of lighting a joint, there are specific steps to follow in order to make the most out of your joint. Baptizing is a divisive practice among joint aficionados. Baptizing is when you moisten your joints before smoking them, it will burn more slowly, allowing you to enjoy the effects of cannabinoids fully rather than your flower being reduced to ash quicker than you can inhale. While some consumers swear by it, many smokers are philosophically opposed to it. As it is usually done with saliva, other people might feel disgusted by this step if you are going to share the joint. However, there are some alternatives like honey, brown alcohol like rum or whiskey, and even brandy or cognac will do the work. To properly baptize your joint, hold the top part, and pull it through your mouth, moistening it with your lips or the element of your preference. During actual smoking, another tip is to put a little bit of saliva on your finger and carefully moisten under the burns to extend the duration of your joint.Lighting a Joint
To begin with, grab a classic Bic lighter. In case you don’t have one, you can also use matches, hemp wick, and even a stove. Virtually anything that provides a good flame is perfect to light your joint. The objective is to create a cherry -the tip of the joint that is actively burning-. To do so, hold your joint between your thumb and index finger and, with the other hand, apply a gentle flame to the tip. Slowly rotate the joint in your fingers to create an even burn, which will ultimately produce a smooth smoke. Also, while lighting up, take small puffs, but don’t inhale the first draw. When the cherry is completely lit and even, you are ready to start inhaling. Try not to draw too much at once, since it will encourage a faster burn right away. Smaller and longer hits will make the joint burn more slowly and produce a smooth smoke. An important tip is to avoid inhaling during ignition. We know it looks cool, but it often results in an uneven cherry and canoeing, the dreaded run of fast-burning herb that can sabotage a good joint. If you are smoking with other people, we are sure you don’t want to be the one who ruins a perfectly rolled joint.How to Light a Joint Without Lighter
While some cannabis consumers prefer traditional lighters, there are some other sparking options out there to light up the fruit of your hard labor. Welcome to the ignition department.Do’s and Don'ts
Did you lose your clipper? You can thank the Universe because now you’re about to know exactly what you can do and what you shouldn’t when it comes to lighting a joint without a lighter.DO’s
- If you are health-conscious, switch to hemp wicks, and you won’t be disappointed. To light a joint with a hemp wick, first spark up its end and angle it slightly up or down to stay in control of the burn. Twist the joint to create an even flame all around and alternate between puffs and flame. Easy peasy.
- Since hemp wicks are coated in beeswax, you’ll always have to be careful not to drip some. Once your joint is lit, put the hemp wick aside.
- When matches are the only fire-lighting tool you have around, wait for a few minutes before lighting the joint to let the chemicals burn off, especially sulfur. This way, the chemicals don't interfere with the unique taste of your joint.
DON’TS
- If you have a sensitive respiratory system, avoid butane lighters. Butane fumes can act as an allergen, irritating your eyes, skin, and lungs. Likewise, the fumes of regular candles can contain some irritants. Although it takes large amounts of an allergen to seriously damage the lungs, using these lighting alternatives constantly can represent a risk.
- Don’t inhale while lighting your joint with matches unless you want to drag some irritant chemicals like potassium chlorate, sulfur, and phosphorus to your lungs. Added to this, it may alter and corrupt the flavor of your weed.