There are many good reasons to roll your joint with a filter, and only a few arguments for smoking a joint without one.
Your wellbeing should come first.
Of course, smoking in any form carries risks.
Whether you smoke nicotine cigarettes, herbal cigarettes, or joints, you inhale carbon monoxide.
With herbal tobacco substitute, you avoid substances such as nicotine and tobacco tar, but you are still inhaling smoke.
A filter can catch some particles from smoke. But is that all?
What exactly does a filter do?
We explain why smoking a joint without a filter is not a good idea.
The advantages of smoking a joint with a filter
Beyond the comfort aspect, there are plenty of other reasons why smoking a joint without a filter is not a great idea.
When you use a filter, you balance out small irregularities that can happen while rolling.
That makes the joint easier to smoke.
A filter improves airflow.
As a result, the joint burns more efficiently.
Accessories such as tweezers for holding the last bit of the joint also become unnecessary when you use a filter.
So there are many advantages to using a filter.
You also have a wide choice of filters.
There is no single filter that is best for everyone.
There is also no single best technique for rolling a filter yourself.
There are several techniques for building a joint with a filter tip.
The filter can be constructed in different ways.
In the simplest version, which is also suitable for beginners, a small cardboard filter is rolled into a compact cylinder.
Online, you will find plenty of instructions for the rolling technique as well as information about the right papers for joints.
Here are the advantages of filters compared with smoking a joint without a filter once more:
- it creates a more comfortable setup
- the joint is easier to roll
- it smooths out small irregularities when rolling
- with a filter, you can use more of the joint
- the joint burns more efficiently
- accessories such as tweezers become unnecessary
By the way, it is a myth that smoking a joint without a filter gives you a better high.
Joints with filters still get you high.
That is because the filter particles are larger than THC.
So you do not need to worry that you are missing anything because of a filter.
Rolling a joint with a filter is often more controlled than rolling without one.
What can you use as a filter in a joint?
A filter in a joint creates distance between your lips and the burning joint.
That means a filter makes the joint easier to hold.
With a filter, it is also much easier to smoke the full contents of the joint.
Because the filter takes up a little space, you also save a bit of cannabis along the way.
It also stabilizes the joint, so unlike filterless joints, bits of cannabis do not fall out at both ends.
But what exactly can you use as a filter for joints, and what are the differences?
In principle, there are three options, each with its own pros and cons.
The difference compared with smoking a joint without a filter is considerable.
The best way to find out is to try all the filters once.
- self-rolled filter made from paper or cardboard
- cigarette filter
- activated charcoal filter
Self-rolled paper filter
For the classic version, you can buy a filter booklet and tear out individual tips.
These can be rolled up and folded very easily.
Alternatively, you can cut a paper filter yourself.
Just make sure to use slightly stronger cardboard, not too hard and not too soft.
The paper filter is the most stable form of filter, but compared with cigarette or activated charcoal filters, it retains the fewest substances from the smoke.
Cigarette filter
You can either buy cigarette filters in bulk or break one out of a cigarette.
These filters can retain somewhat more smoke particles.
Because joints are thicker and longer than cigarettes, the filter has to absorb more accordingly.
However, cigarette filters are made from cotton-like material.
So the cannabis high may feel strong, but rather short.
Activated charcoal filter
Activated charcoal filters were originally designed for pipes.
They come in many different sizes.
They also work well for joints and are easy to roll in.
The advantage of activated charcoal filters is that the smoke cools down a little when inhaled.
As a result, the draw can feel a little less scratchy when smoking cannabis.
Without a filter, that scratchiness can feel much stronger.
The filtering performance of an activated charcoal filter is comparatively high.
It takes a little practice to roll one in, but with a bit of patience you will soon get the hang of it.
They can also catch some components such as tar.
Activated charcoal filter
Where can you buy the best filters for joints?
You can buy paper filters, cigarette filters, and activated charcoal filters in any tobacco shop and in many online shops.
A 40-pack of activated charcoal filters costs around 5 euros.
Skip smoking joints without a filter from now on and equip yourself with the right accessories instead.
You can also buy activated charcoal filters in the Real Leaf Online Shop.
