As far as cannabis consumption goes, smoking a nice, fat joint is arguably one of the best ways to get high. After all, joints are convenient, easy to carry, and come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and potencies! But with so many choices, how do you find the best type of joint for you? If you know some basic weed facts like the difference between indica and sativa then you're set to make an informed joint-buying decision! But an important (and often overlooked) distinction when it comes to joints is the shape, specifically cone joints vs. straight joints.
What are the benefits and detriments to choosing one kind of joint over the other, and (in all honesty) what even is a cone joint? Don't worry if you don't know the answers since we have you covered in this Leafbuyer guide to understanding the difference between cone joints and straight joints! Soon you'll be buying joints like a pro, so just read up and get ready to learn the difference between a cone and a straight line (hint: one is conical and the other isn't).
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Cone Joints vs. Straight Joints
What do you imagine when you hear the word 'joint'? You probably have an image in mind, whether it's straight, conical, or just badly rolled into a shape which resembles neither. There are also novelty rolling styles like cross joints, joints rolled with rose petals, and even 2-pound joints (looking at you, Santa Cruz)! With so much variety available in the world of rolled-up weed, your imagination is basically the limit! If you want an 8-legged octopus joint then you can have one (provided you're a boss at rolling, that is).
But fancy rolling gimmicks aside, you're most likely to encounter two kinds of joints in day-to-day stoner life: the cone joint and the straight joint. Most hardcore weed enthusiasts will have a preference between the two classic shapes. But that begs the question, is one joint type better than the other or do they achieve mostly the same effect? And if there's no difference in the effects between the two, why do people prefer one over the other? Let's examine the specifics of both joint types individually to see what (if anything) sets them apart:
Cone Joints Pros and Cons
If you're buying pre-rolled joints from a dispensary, then chances are you're getting a cone joint whether you know it or not. Cone joints are usually around three inches in length, including the filter at the end, and are wider at the tip than the base. This gradual decrease in width is the reason they are called cone joints as the shape more or less resembles a cone. The most attractive part of choosing to smoke a cone joint is that they tend to contain more weed than non-conical joints. That's right, the extra room at the tip is good for more than just looking cool — It holds more cannabis too!
The downside to cone joints is they're more difficult to roll than your average joint, so unless you're great at rolling you might consider getting your cone joints pre-rolled. Lucky for all the joint-loving stoners out there that aren't the best rollers, cone joints are pretty easy to find at most medical and recreational dispensaries! You don't need to learn to roll a joint into the shape of a cone to enjoy smoking a joint with more weed — you could just buy one for yourself instead!
Straight Joints Pros and Cons
Straight joints are classic, they look sophisticated, and they're easy to roll compared to other, more involved shapes. Also clocking in at around three inches in length with a filter included, straight joints share many of the same characteristics as cone joints minus one glaring difference: the width of straight joints remains the same along the entire joint. Unless a straight joint is incorrectly rolled, you should see nearly parallel lines at any angle with no variation along the body of the joint.
Most dispensaries will carry fewer of these types of joints, especially in more recent years. This is probably due to just how easy it is to roll a straight joint at home with your own rolling machine. Dispensaries also realize, by selling straight joints alongside cone joints, the straight joints won't fly off the shelves at the same rate because they simply don't have as much weed in them. And since most stoners go to a dispensary to get well and truly baked, straight joints just don't make the sales cut.
That doesn't mean straight joints should be forgotten since they're still the easiest joints to roll at home! Get yourself a rolling machine the next time you're out and you may never have to buy yourself a pre-rolled joint ever again. Rolling your own, homemade straight joints is the cheaper option, and you certainly don't sacrifice the quality of your high (just the quantity of the weed). But again, if you're rolling at home then the quantity really doesn't matter since your weed is still going to be there when you've finished smoking your straight joint.
Which is Better?
Comparing cone joints vs. straight joints is a bit like comparing apples and oranges. This simile might be cliché, but it's still ultimately true since personal preference has a lot more to do with which type of joint is considered 'better' than the other. If you like your joints packed with weed, then cone joints are the way to go, but if you prefer a classic look that you can easily replicate at home, straight joints are for you! Your weed supply, the distance you live from a dispensary, your joint-rolling skills, and many other factors go into which joint type you'll inevitably gravitate to. In other words, cone joints and straight joints are good for different situations and neither are considered bad by any stretch of stoner imagination!
In my personal experience, cone joints burn better and don't canoe (burn unevenly) nearly as often. Some consumers even report cone joints as having a smoother hit that's easier on the lungs and more potent. While we have no solid proof to back this up, there may be some truth to it since so many stoners agree. The extra weed and cool aesthetic of cone joints also don't hurt when it comes to winning over stoners!
So, all in all, cone joints seem to be the better bet if you're planning to buy pre-rolls. And straight joints are a straightforward and easy way to get high on your own supply, though they lack some of the showmanship and overall quality you find in cone joints. But again, that's just my opinion — the only way for you to know for sure which kind of joint you prefer is to smoke both and see for yourself.
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