Hey, flower enthusiasts (bud heads?): When you scan the shelves at your local dispensary lately, do you find yourself lingering a little longer than usual on the pre-rolls display?
If so, you’re not alone. Pre-rolls have seen an uptick in popularity in recent years. According to the cannabis data platform Headset, pre-roll sales grew 13.4% during the first eight months of 2023 and captured 15.3% of total cannabis sales in the U.S.
Oregon sellers sold $11.2 million in pre-rolls in April 2024, making them the third most purchased product behind flower and vapor pens. While we haven’t run the numbers in our own shops, we can report anecdotally that pre-rolls have been flying off the shelves.
“During our 4/20 sale, we almost filled the pre-roll case with flower because we thought it would be more popular,” says Bahama Buds store manager Sara Morrow. “But we’re glad we didn’t! The pre-rolls ended up being much more popular than the flower.”
Why all the pre-roll love? There are a number of reasons, including convenience and portability. According to Headset, the broad appeal is also rising alongside another trend — connoisseur or infused products.
Whatever the reason, we’re here for it — and we’re guessing you are too. Keep reading for a quick guide to pre-rolls for the flower lover.
What’s in a Pre-Roll?
Would flower by any other name smell as sweet? When it comes to pre-rolls, the answer is decidedly yes. That’s because, inside a pre-roll, you’ll find — flower — usually ground cannabis that has been expertly packed into a rolling paper.
In the past, pre-rolls have gotten a bad rap because they were commonly made using inferior shake or stems versus the more potent high-quality parts of the flower. This can still be true in some cases, but high-quality pre-roll purveyors tend to use high-caliber cannabis.
Here’s a look at the components that make up your average pre-roll:
The flower. Just like the roll-you-own variety, your joint is only as good as the flower inside. High-quality pre-rolls are filled with finely ground flower, often from the same premium strains you might buy loose.
The consistency of the grind is just as important as the quality. If it’s too fine, it could burn too quickly, and if it’s too coarse, you get an uneven experience.
The paper. Depending on the brand, your pre-roll may come wrapped in refined, bleached paper, hemp or rice paper. It may be in a cigarette style or a cone. The type of paper may have subtle effects on burn rate and the overall smoke experience, so check with your budtender or experiment until you find your fave.
The filter. The pre-roll filter serves an important function in the structural integrity of your joint and has the added benefit of keeping bits of flower out of your mouth as you smoke.
Infusions and other additives. As Headset found, the popularity of pre-rolls may have something to do with the trend of infusing them with cannabis concentrates like hash, kief, wax, shatter or live resin. Additives boost the overall potency of the joint and can enhance flavor and aroma profiles as well.
[Image recommendation: Anatomy of a pre-roll, illustration or photo of a pre-roll joint with parts labeled]
Types of Pre-Rolls
Pre-rolls come in all the same varieties as flower. You can find Indica, Sativa and hybrid pre-rolls, as well as varieties mixed with concentrates.
The classic. Classic pre-rolls are your basic, non-infused cannabis rolled in paper. Just like when shopping for flower, pay attention to the composition of the cannabis. Indica has calming properties, while Sativa produces that classic high. The pre-roll package will indicate the strain and mix if the contents are a hybrid of Sativa and Indica.
Infused. Infused pre-rolls add a little kick to your basic blunt. Infused with cannabis concentrates like wax, shatter or live resin, these pre-rolls deliver a more potent and flavorful experience that elevates the effects beyond what traditional flower can offer.
The infusion process is specific to the brand, but often concentrates are applied inside of the pre-roll’s paper during the rolling or packing process. Some infused pre-rolls are coated in kief — a potent powder made from cannabis trichomes — for an extra strong effect.
Benefits of Pre-Rolls
We’ve touted some of the bennies already, but there are a few more worth mentioning.
Convenience. No need to crush or roll your own. It’s ready to smoke straight out of the package, saving you time and effort. This is perfect for newbies who want to smoke but might feel intimidated by the assembly process.
And let’s face it, the most seasoned roll-your-own proponents can get behind the ease of use pre-rolls offer from time to time.
Portability. Easy to carry and store, making them perfect for on-the-go use. Their compact size also makes them discreet and ideal for travel, outdoor activities or simply keeping in your bag for whenever the mood strikes you to light up (legally, of course).
Consistency. You don’t have to guess about the dosage or effect. You can count on your pack to offer a consistent experience, ensuring you get the same potency and flavor every time. This reliability is particularly helpful for those who use cannabis for medicinal purposes, as it helps track intake and manage symptoms effectively.
Variety. Just like the flower inside, pre-rolls come in all sorts of strains and flavors. Plus, they offer an ever-increasing amount of infusion options. Whatever your preferred high — the buzz of Sativa, the lull of Indica or a balance between the two — there’s a pre-roll out there for you.
Quality control. Reputable brands use high-quality cannabis and adhere to assembly guidelines to ensure the best possible smoke. Choose brands that you know and trust (or ask your budtender) for a premium-quality product every time.
Totally sharable. Pre-rolls are great for passing. Convenient, easy and relatively inexpensive, they’re a great way for the whole group to enjoy a smoke without the hassle of rolling or the germs that come along with the old puff-puff-pass.
How to Tell if Your Pre-Roll Is Premium Quality
As with most cannabis products, not all are created equal. Some pre-rolls are still made using shake or stems, so the potency will be slightly less than a joint you rolled yourself using premium flower.
The best-selling pre-rolls in Oregon, though, come from major players committed to quality across product categories. Here at Bahama Buds, we make it a point to stock the best. Talk to your budtender if you have any questions about specific brands of pre-rolls and how they’re made. If they don’t know the answer off-hand, they can definitely find out.
Is your pre-roll interest piqued? Stop in any time to peruse our pre-roll selection.