How to Pack a Pre-Rolled Cone Like a Pro

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By Riley Kirk, PhD, a cannabis research scientist, natural product chemist, author of the book “Reefer Wellness,” and host of the podcast Bioactive
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Pre-roll cones are a great option if you’re looking for a convenient, easy-to-use alternative to traditional rolling papers. If you’re interested in trying them out yourself, you’ve come to the right place! I’m Riley Kirk, a cannabis research scientist and social media educator, and I’ll explain the process of packing a pre-roll cone step-by-step. I’ll also explain what pre-rolls are and why they’re beneficial, provide expert tips, and answer some common FAQs. Keep reading for everything you need to know!

How to Pack a Pre-Roll

Start by grinding up your cannabis. Next, pack a layer of weed into the bottom of the cone, and use a packing tool to tamp it down evenly. Keep adding layers of weed and tamping them down until you’re about half an inch from the top of the cone. Twist the top of the cone shut, then light it and enjoy.

Section 1 of 6:

What is a pre-roll cone?

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  1. They usually have something called a “crutch,” which is an extra piece of cardboard or even a piece of glass at the bottom of the cone. The crutch is something to hold onto while smoking, and it also provides stability to the joint.
    • A pre-roll cone is different from a pre-roll that you might buy at a dispensary. A pre-roll at a dispensary already has weed in it and is ready to go. You just take it out of the tube, light it up, and smoke it.
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Section 2 of 6:

How to Pack a Pre-Roll Cone

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  1. If you’re packing a pre-roll cone, you’ll want a few key supplies close at hand. These include a grinder (to get your cannabis into a consistent, medium-fine size), a rolling tray (to keep everything contained), your pre-roll cones, your cannabis, and a packing tool (to pack your cannabis down into the cone).
    • Sometimes, cones will come with a straw or wooden stick to use as a packing tool, but I like using a chopstick. Keys, pens, and pencils also work—feel free to get creative!
  2. Place your cannabis flower into your grinder and grind it into a medium-fine consistency. A grinder helps ensure everything is the same size, which is especially important for smooth, even packing. You can also break it up by hand if you don’t have a grinder, but this often leads to unevenness and risks tearing the paper.
  3. Place a little bit of your weed into the pre-roll cone, and use your packing tool to tamp down the flower evenly, like you would with an espresso shot. If your weed is sticky, it will compact easily, but if it’s drier, you’ll need to be more careful. Use medium pressure as you press down.
    • You can use the cone to scoop up the flower directly from the grinder or rolling tray to make it easier.
    • Take your time and pay extra attention to this base layer. The bottom of the cone needs to be packed the most tightly out of all the layers to keep the joint from flopping over. You want it packed tightly enough to give the joint structure, but not so tightly that you block airflow.
  4. Add in a bit more flower, tamp it down, and repeat until you’re about half an inch from the top of the cone. This gradual layering keeps the joint stable.
  5. Once you’re done packing in your weed, twist the paper at the top to close it. This keeps the flower secure and makes lighting the joint easier.
  6. Hold the joint in your hand and torch the twisted tip for about ten seconds with your lighter, rotating the cone to make sure you get an even burn. The paper should go from a lighter color to a darker brown or black color. Next, put it in your mouth and take small micro puffs.
    • Don’t take deep inhales at this point—this can cause “canoeing,” where one side burns faster than the other. Once you see the cherry glow evenly around the top, you can start taking larger pulls.
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Section 3 of 6:

Pro Tips for an Elevated Experience

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  1. At the end of the day, my biggest tip is to buy really good weed. Also, remember that you don’t have to use only THC flower. You can mix in CBD or CBG flower, or even add in other smokable herbs, like lavender. You can also layer different strains inside the same cone for a dynamic experience. You have a lot of creative control!
    • If you do decide to add other smokable herbs, just make sure they’re organic. Many herbs, including lavender, are grown for scent and not inhalation, so non-organic varieties may be treated with chemicals.
  2. If you pack too much weed too tightly into your pre-roll cone, it will restrict the airflow and won’t be smokable. On the flip side, an underpacked cone results in a floppy joint that smokes too fast. You want to aim for that sweet spot where it holds its shape, but it isn’t too tight.
    • Sticky flower releases resin as it burns, which can clog the bottom of your joint if it was already packed on the tighter side. If you’re using stickier weed, pack it a little more loosely to allow airflow.
    • Weed goes through a drying and curing phase before it’s ready to be smoked. Most dispensaries overdry their flower to avoid mold, so if you got your weed from a dispensary, there’s a good chance it's on the dry side.
    • On the flip side, weed from craft cultivators or home growers has more bound water in it. You can test this by pressing it between your fingers: if your weed sticks together, it’s moist. If it crumbles, it’s dry.
    • If you mess it up, don’t worry—just repack it. You’ll get the feel after a few tries!
  3. You want it firm and secure, but not too tight, or you risk ripping the paper. One trick is to push the paper down slightly, so it forms a little cave at the top, then twist. This gives you more surface area and keeps the flower from falling out.
    • If you’re struggling at first, leave a little extra paper and twist it two or three times to hold its shape.
  4. Lighters contain butane, which can negatively affect your smoking experience. If you’re inhaling while you light the joint, you can definitely taste the butane, which isn’t great. A hemp wick is a great alternative. It’s made from beeswax-coated hemp, and the beeswax just melts—you’re not inhaling it—so it’s a much cleaner option. Just light the hemp wick with your lighter, then use that flame to light your joint!
    • Regular matches also have a distinct sulfur smell, so if you’re using a match, I always recommend letting it burn for a second before lighting the joint. This helps to avoid that initial sulfur smell and taste.
  5. Classic pre-roll cones have cardboard tips, but high-quality cones often use glass crutches instead. These enhance the smoking experience, and they’re seen as more of a premium or bougie option. They’re heavier, which makes them feel better in your hand, and they also provide more stability for larger joints.
    • Unlike cardboard crutches, you can clean and reuse glass crutches to roll your own joints.
  6. You can buy cones made from rose petals, hemp leaves, or other non-paper materials. This is a fun way to level up your smoking experience and introduce some interesting flavors.
    • I personally like RAW organic papers . They’re a safer, cleaner option, but it really comes down to personal preference!
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Section 4 of 6:

Benefits of Pre-Rolls

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  1. These include:
    • Speed and convenience. Rolling a joint with a regular rolling paper can actually be pretty difficult, but pre-roll cones make the process incredibly easy—almost anyone can do it. They’re also helpful if you’re on the go and don’t want to be rolling while doing other things.
    • Accessibility. If you have mobility or dexterity challenges, pre-roll cones are a fantastic option. They allow you to roll quickly and easily with much less movement involved.
    • Consistency. Cones are machine-made, so they’re very consistent in quality. Once you’ve packed in the weed, torch the end evenly to get it going properly, and you should have a consistent experience every time.
    • Cleaner burns. They allow you to burn all the weed without burning your fingers, and they won’t fall apart at the end, like hand-rolled joints often do.
    • No saliva. No one needs to lick the paper to seal it, so they’re a cleaner and more sanitary option.
Section 5 of 6:

How to Prep Joints in Bulk

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  1. I call this “meal prepping” joints. First, grind a bunch of flower, and make a big pile. Then, pack each cone one by one, twist the end, and set it aside. Repeat this process until you’ve filled all your cones. If you’re prepping a bunch of joints at once, definitely invest in a carrying case to store them. Some cases hold 10–15 joints at once.
    • For example, if I’m going out for the day, I might roll four or five and store them in a small metal case that opens like a wallet. It keeps them protected in your pocket, purse, or whatever you’re carrying.
    • They also sell little tubes designed for single pre-rolls. Or, if you ever buy a pre-rolled joint from a dispensary, hang onto the tube it came in. A lot of them are glass, and they’re perfect for storage.
    • These tubes are also great if you only smoke half a joint and want to save the rest for later. Put the half-smoked joint back in, close it up airtight, and the joint will go out immediately. Then, when you’re ready to smoke again, it’s fresh—and because the container is usually smell-proof, you won’t reek of half-burned weed all day.
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Section 6 of 6:

Pre-Roll FAQs

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  1. 1
    What kind of grinder should you use? You can break grinders into two main types: grinders and mills. Grinders use teeth or prongs to break up the cannabis, and mills have wave-like blades, like coffee mills. One popular example of a mill is the Flower Mill. These mills don’t use teeth to tear up the flower. Instead, they gently break it up in a way that preserves more of the trichomes—the tiny crystals that contain cannabinoids and terpenes.
    • Some high-end products also let you customize grind size—you can swap out the screen or disc to control whether it’s fine or coarse, just like a coffee grinder. Most budget grinders don’t have that, but they’re perfectly functional and give you a medium grind (which works fine for pre-roll cones).
    • Finer grinds will give you a smoother-looking joint and may burn more evenly, but they’re also easier to overpack, making the joint hard to draw from. So, you just need to be mindful of airflow.
    • Also, finer grinds may lose some of the flower’s character if the grinder uses aggressive teeth. That’s another reason why connoisseurs lean toward mills—they’re gentler and preserve more of the plant’s quality.
  2. 2
    How do you pack a pre-roll without a grinder? Start by holding the nug by the stem and gently pulling off small chunks. Avoid including stems—they’ll pierce your paper, and they don’t contain any active compounds. From there, use your fingers or fingernails to break it down evenly. Try to get a consistent particle size. This can be coarse or fine, but just keep it uniform. Remove any seeds or stems you see for the best smoking experience.
  3. 3
    Are there cone-filling devices that can help pack a pre-roll? There are cone-filling devices out there, but I’m skeptical of these options. I don’t see how they can pack evenly, they’re expensive ($80-$100), and they’re not very effective, in my opinion. Unless you’re physically unable to pack by hand, I wouldn’t recommend them.
  4. 4
    Does the crutch in a pre-roll cone act as a filter? Crutches create more consistent airflow through the joint, giving a smoother, more even smoking experience, and they do act as a filter in a limited sense. They filter out something called “Scooby snacks,” which are little bits of cannabis that sometimes get pulled through while you’re smoking and end up in your mouth. Not harmful, but definitely unpleasant.
    • That said, crutches aren’t like cigarette filters, which are designed to chemically filter smoke. A crutch in a joint just blocks particles—not smoke or chemicals. It’s mostly there for structure and a smoother experience.
  5. 5
    How do you store empty pre-roll cones? Before they’re packed, cones are just hollow paper, which is pretty fragile. Don’t toss them loose into your bag. Use the container they came in, or repurpose a used pre-roll tube from a dispensary. You can stack four cones in one tube, seal it, toss it in your bag, and they’ll be fine. Just keep them out of rain, and don’t let them get crushed!
  6. 6
    What’s the right way to store weed before using it? Store your unused weed in an airtight container. You want minimal airflow, because cannabis contains terpenes—those are the smelly compounds—and they’re really volatile. They evaporate quickly. If you leave weed out or put it in a container that’s not airtight, those terpenes keep escaping. A sealed container locks them in, so your flower stays fresh, flavorful, and aromatic.
    • Avoid clear containers, as well. Light (especially sunlight) can degrade cannabinoids and terpenes. Use something opaque, like a black or amber glass jar, or a metal case. Whatever works, as long as it’s sealed and kept away from heat and direct light.
  7. 7
    Are pre-rolled cones worth it? Absolutely! I know seasoned smokers who’ve never learned to roll a joint and don’t want to. In these cases, cones offer self-reliance, so you’re not waiting around for someone to roll a joint for you.
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