Definition:
A joint is a hand-rolled cigarette containing cannabis (marijuana or hashish). The cannabis is often mixed with tobacco and rolled in special cigarette or hemp paper. The joint is one of the most common methods of consuming cannabis worldwide.
History
The practice of smoking cannabis can be traced back to ancient cultures, for example in India and China. The modern form of the joint has its origins in the 20th century, particularly in the Caribbean and the USA. There, cannabis was mainly consumed in African-American, Latin American and jazz circles – often as a joint. In the 1960s and 70s, the joint spread worldwide in the wake of the hippie movement and pop culture.
Cultural significance
The joint is more than just an object of consumption – it is often a symbol of:
- Counterculture & protest: In the 60s and 70s, the joint stood for freedom, anti-authoritarianism and protest against political norms.
- Community & ritual: In many subcultures, smoking a joint together is seen as a social or spiritual ritual.
- Pop culture: The joint often appears in music (e.g. reggae, hip-hop), film and art – from Bob Marley to modern rap icons.
A comparison of forms of consumption
| Form of consumption | Description | Special features |
|---|---|---|
| Joint | Mixture of cannabis and possibly tobacco, rolled in paper | Classic, widespread |
| Blunt | Cannabis rolled in a tobacco leaf (e.g. cigar wrapper) | Stronger tobacco flavor |
| Spliff | Not uniformly defined: mostly joint with tobacco (especially in Europe) | Milder effect due to tobacco dilution |
| Reefer | Obsolete US slang term for joint | Popular in the jazz era |
| Vaporizer | Evaporation instead of combustion | Fewer pollutants, more discreet |
| Bong | Water pipe for cannabis | Intensive effect through deep inhalation |
Health aspects
Smoking a joint exposes the body to combustion products, especially when tobacco is added. In addition to the acute psychoactive effect (e.g. relaxation, heightened sensory perception), the following risks can also occur:
- Psychological effects such as anxiety, paranoia or listlessness
- Lung problems due to smoke inhalation
- Development of an addiction with regular consumption
The health risks depend heavily on the frequency, consumption pattern and age of the user.
Legal situation
The legal assessment of joints depends on the country in question:
- Germany: Possession and consumption of cannabis are generally punishable by law, small quantities for personal use are partially tolerated. Since 2024, possession and home cultivation have been legalized under certain conditions.
- Netherlands: Tolerated sale in coffee shops.
- Canada & parts of the USA: Legal sale and consumption under certain conditions.
- Many countries (e.g. Asia, Arab countries): Strict bans with high penalties in some cases.
Synonyms
- Bag (colloquial, German)
- Spliff
- Blunt
- Reefer
- Stick (slang)
- Jay (short form)