The art of rolling a joint is sacred within stoner culture, the gospel of group smoke sessions and true cannabis connoisseurs. To make the most of that freshly twisted joint, most weed smokers lean on the simple, yet effective crutch when rolling up.

Also known as a filter or tip, a crutch is an essential part of the joint rolling process. You can’t roll the perfect joint without one. It functions as an extension that keeps fingers and lips from being burned by the fiery cherry, and also makes it easier to hold and pass around in a social setting.

Another benefit of using a crutch is that it allows for better airflow, preventing the bottom tip of the joint from closing in on itself or becoming clogged with sticky resin buildup. Not to mention, you also use your weed more efficiently, as the crutch allows you to burn through all of your bud before you reach the end of the rolling paper.

Still wondering why the crutch is such a coveted part of the joint rolling process? Here’s what the internet has to say about it …

It may seem like origami, but relax, creating a crutch isn’t hard. In fact, it’s incredibly easy to do and, once you get the process down pat, takes just a matter of seconds. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make a crutch and bring your joint rolling skills to the next level.

Materials

How to Make a Crutch

Step 1 – Tear Cardstock Paper

Take the cardstock paper or index card and evenly tear off a piece that is roughly a half-inch wide, or a little more than 1 centimeter. If you’re rolling with longer king-size papers, you may want to increase the width to three-fourths of an inch, or about 2 centimeters. You don’t have to be extremely accurate with the width, just eye it out to the best of your ability if you don’t have a measuring tool handy. Fold a crease into the paper to help ensure that you get an even tear.   

Step 2 – Fold the Paper

Take one end of the paper and fold it into a zig-zag “M” shape. To do this, make four creases folded back-to-front until the tip of the paper resembles the letter M. Try to keep an adequate amount of length leftover for the next step.    

Step 3 – Wrap it Up

Taking the remaining length leftover from the folded tip, wrap it around the folds until there’s a circle surrounding the zig-zag M-shaped pattern. If there’s not enough paper left over to complete the wrap, you can unwind your M and try to remake it with smaller folds.

Step 4 – Crutch, Meet Rolling Paper

Once you have the perfect crutch folded and rolled up, drop it into the tip of the rolling paper.

It’s easiest to grind up your weed and put it inside of the rolling paper after inserting the crutch. Depending on whether you want a pinner or cone-shaped joint, place the crutch at the end tip and disperse the ground weed accordingly throughout the inner crease of the rolling paper.

Step 5 – Roll it up

Now that you have your crutch and weed situated in the rolling paper, you’re at the final stretch. Simply roll it up, seal it up, sit back, spark it up, and enjoy.

And remember, when desperate times call for desperate joint rolling measures, a potential crutch can come to you in many unexpected forms.

Feature image by Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

Tyler Koslow

Tyler Koslow is an Associate Editor at Weedmaps with experience in the cannabis and tech space. When he’s not pounding away at his laptop keyboard, you can find him stuck a three-hour synth loop, playing with his chubby Garfield-esque cat, or taking in the sights on a nice hike.

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