A pre-roll is exactly what the name says: a cannabis joint that has already been rolled for you, packaged and sold ready to smoke. No grinding, no rolling papers, no technique required. For visitors and first-timers, it is the single easiest way to try flower without any gear.
What is inside a pre-roll
At its simplest, a pre-roll is ground cannabis flower wrapped in rolling paper with a small cardboard filter, called a crutch, at the mouth end. Quality varies with what goes in. Better pre-rolls use whole, named-strain flower; cheaper ones may use "shake" or "trim," the smaller bits left over from handling flower.
The main types
- Classic pre-roll: ground flower in paper. Usually half a gram to a gram.
- Infused pre-roll: flower with added concentrate such as rosin, live resin or kief, making it noticeably stronger.
- Multi-packs: several smaller pre-rolls, handy for sharing or for keeping doses modest.
If you are newer to cannabis, start with a classic, non-infused pre-roll. Infused versions are potent and better suited to experienced consumers.
How to pick a good one
Ask the budtender two questions: is it whole flower or trim, and what is the strain. Whole-flower pre-rolls of a named strain will smell and taste like that strain, which matters if you care about aroma, and you should, because aroma is where cannabis and wine meet. Our Sip-and-Sniff experience is built entirely around that idea.
A note on sharing and pacing
A pre-roll is social by nature, which makes it great for a group but easy to overdo in a relaxed setting. Pass it, go slow, and remember you can always take more later. On a tour, we handle transport so no one is doing math about who is driving.
Frequently asked
Most are half a gram to a full gram. Multi-packs break that into smaller pieces.
A pre-roll with added concentrate like rosin or kief, which makes it significantly stronger than a standard one.
It depends on what is inside. Whole-flower pre-rolls of a named strain are generally better than those made from trim or shake.
A classic, non-infused pre-roll is one of the easiest ways to try flower. Go slow and skip infused versions at first.
Stored in a cool, airtight container away from light, it stays good for weeks to months. See our guide on storing cannabis.
The bottom line
A pre-roll is the grab-and-go option: no gear, no skill, just flower ready to enjoy. Choose whole flower, mind the pacing, and let the aroma guide you. Want to taste the aroma-to-wine connection firsthand? Book a tour.
Guests must be 21+. Consume responsibly and per California law. This article is educational and not medical advice.