Types of Pre-Rolls, Explained
Pre-rolls sound like they’re the simplest product in the dispensary. Then you get to the counter and find standard joints, minis, infused joints, blunts, shake joints, and packs of five, all sitting in the same case at wildly different prices. And then it hits you (pun intended) - there’s more to pre-rolls than meets the eye. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is a Pre-Roll?
A pre-roll is a joint that someone else has already ground, filled, and rolled for you. You just pick one up, light it, and that’s it. Most are made in cones, the tapered paper shape that packs evenly and burns slowly, and many have a filter tip at the end. That's the baseline, and what follows are the variations.
Types of Cannabis Pre-Rolls
Pre-rolls differ in three ways: what’s rolled inside, what it’s rolled in, and whether anything extra has been added. Those differences decide how a pre-roll smokes and what it costs. The main types you’ll find on our shelves are:
- Standard flower pre-rolls
- Minis and multi-packs
- Infused pre-rolls
- Blunts and hemp wraps
- Whole flower vs. shake and trim
- CBD and low-THC pre-rolls
Standard Flower Pre-Rolls
The classic. Ground cannabis flower from a single strain, rolled in paper, usually somewhere between half a gram and a gram. It's the most straightforward way to try a strain because the label tells you what it is, who grew it, and what the lab results say. If you're new to pre-rolls or want a no-surprises smoke, start here.
Minis and Multi-Packs
Minis are smaller joints, generally in the 0.3 to 0.5 gram range, often sold in packs of three, five, or more. A mini is a full session for one person, or a quick pass-around for two. Packs let you try several strains for one purchase, and some brands sell variety packs so you can compare.
Check the label before you buy a pack. Some contain the same strain five times, others a mix, and the difference matters if you're buying for variety.
Infused Pre-Rolls
An infused pre-roll starts as a regular joint and gets something extra in the form of a concentrate added to the flower or the outside of the paper.
Common infusions include:
- Kief: The powdery trichomes that collect off flower, often rolled onto the outside of the joint.
- Hash or rosin: A more concentrated, flavorful addition that burns slowly.
- Distillate or oil: A high-potency boost, usually added to the flower or inside the cone.
- Diamonds or moon rocks: Crystalline or coated additions for the strongest versions.
Infused pre-rolls generally hit harder and cost more than standard ones, because you're getting flower plus a concentrate. That makes them a better fit for consumers with some tolerance than for someone trying a pre-roll for the first time. The label should say what the joint is infused with and give the total THC, so check both before you buy.
Blunts and Hemp Wraps
Instead of standard rolling paper, these are rolled in a thicker wrap. For dispensary pre-rolls, that's usually a hemp wrap or a tobacco-free leaf, not a traditional tobacco blunt wrap. Blunts tend to hold more flower, burn slower, and have a slightly different flavor from a paper joint.
If avoiding tobacco matters to you, read the packaging. Wraps made for cannabis should say they're tobacco-free, and if the label doesn't say, ask.
Whole Flower vs. Shake and Trim
Not all pre-rolls are filled with the same material. Some use whole flower, the actual buds. Others use shake or trim, the smaller pieces left over from trimming and processing. Shake joints are usually the budget option, and quality varies a lot by brand, since "shake" can mean anything from decent small buds to dry, harsh leftovers.
Whole flower pre-rolls generally smoke smoother and taste more like the strain. A good brand will tell you which one you're getting. If the label doesn't say, ask your budtender.
CBD and Low-THC Pre-Rolls
Some pre-rolls are made with high-CBD flower, giving a milder, less intoxicating smoke. If you're sensitive to THC or want to try a pre-roll without a strong high, check out a balanced or CBD-forward option. You can find the THC-to-CBD ratio on the label.
How to Choose The Right Pre-Roll
So far, we haven’t really made the choice easier, have we? Here are some questions you can ask yourself to make that choice easier.
- First pre-roll? Go with a standard single-strain joint or a mini. You'll know exactly what you're getting.
- Want to try a few strains? A mini pack gives you variety without buying several full-size joints.
- Want something stronger? An infused pre-roll will deliver, but start with a few puffs, not the whole thing.
- Sharing with a group? A larger joint or a blunt holds up better than a mini.
- Watching your budget? Shake joints cost less, but ask what's inside and check the brand.
- Sensitive to THC? Look for a balanced or CBD-forward pre-roll and read the ratio.
What to Check on the Label
Whichever type of pre-roll you end up choosing, there are some things you should check the label for.
- Flower type: Whole flower or shake/trim
- Infusion details: What it's infused with and the total THC
- Weight: Per joint and per pack, since a "pack" can mean different amounts
- Harvest and test dates: Pre-rolls are ground flower, which loses freshness faster than whole buds, so fresher is better
- Lab results: A Certificate of Analysis confirms potency and safety testing
Find Your Pre-Roll at Quality Roots
Having lots of options may seem confusing when you’re new to cannabis, but we promise, you’ll love it when you get a hang of it. In the meantime, head to your closest Quality Roots location, and our budtenders will answer any questions you may have, big or small, and help you find a pre-roll that fits how you like to smoke.