You’ve mastered rolling your basic joint. Your crutch is a perfect circle with that accordion fold for stability. Your weed is shaped to give that doob a consistent structure with airflow that would make a German engineer weep. The paper is wrapped just like Goldilocks would prefer — not too tight, not too loose, just right.  So what next? While there are plenty of joint varieties to try, from cross joints to king-sized, we recommend rolling one of the tastiest joints out there, the Dutch Roll (aka an inside-out joint).  Dutch Rolls are an easy variation on your regular joint. They’re also more flavorful, smoother, and burn less paper (meaning less burnt material for your lungs). That’s why WikiLeaf is here to guide you on what a Dutch Roll is, why they’re superior to regular joints, and how to roll one of these tasty joints yourself. 

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What is a Dutch Roll?

Commonly found in the coffee houses and hash bars of Amsterdam, the Dutch Roll goes by a couple of names that can seem confusing at first. You may have heard it called an inside-out joint, a backwards joint, or a backrolling joint, but no matter what you call it, a Dutch Joint is much simpler than you’d expect. 

close up of a man taking a hit of a lit cannabis joint Dutch Roll joints are very similar to a standard joint, but they use less rolling paper.
Essentially, it’s a regular filtered joint that’s rolled with the paper folded inside out (hence the name). This way, the glue strip faces out and not in. You then roll the joint backwards so that the glue strip tucks in first. By backrolling your joint, the remaining flap of rolling paper can be removed rather than being wrapped as a second layer.  

Why We Love Dutch Rolls

To put it simply, Dutch Rolls use less paper than a regular joint, and less paper means more flavor. You’re tasting less burnt carbon, tar, and other chemicals, and more delicious terpenes from that flower you paid good money for. A Dutch Roll also smokes smoother for the same reason, with no embers of carbonized paper hitting the back of your throat. As an added bonus, many find that Dutch Rolls burn more evenly without that extra layer of paper wrapped on top. 

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How to Twist Up a Dutch Roll

If you’re twisting up an inside out joint, we’ll assume you have the basics of rolling a filtered joint down. The materials you’ll need are the same: good weed, a grinder, a pack of rolling papers, a pack of filter strips, and a lighter. If you’ve got all your materials collected, find a flat surface and let's get started! a grinder, filter tips, rolling papers, lighter and a few bugs of marijuana are laid out on a white table

Step 1:

Grind up your weed so that it’s nice and fluffy, then gather it in a pile.  Pro-Tip: You can also tap your weed from the grinder into a shot glass. This way, you can sprinkle it into the joint without using your fingers.

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Step 2: 

Roll your filter strip into a crutch and set it aside. 

Step 3: 

an upside down rolling paper sits next to a rolled filter and pile of ground up weed Pluck your rolling paper from the pack, then flip it over so the glue strip faces down. The glue strip side should be closest to you.

Step 4: 

a rolling paper, still flipped upside down, with ground weed on top and a filter on one side Crease the paper so that it’s now folded inside out with the glue strip facing you. Place your filter on one end and sprinkle your ground up bud evenly along the crease.

Step 5: 

a woman’s hands roll up a marijuana joint, the weed has been rolled into a long snake like shape to make it easier With the glue strip facing you (very important), roll the paper up and down between your thumb and forefingers so that your bud compacts into that burrito-like shape. Adjust the flower into a cone shape. Once your bud is well distributed and compacted (not too tight), roll the paper down so the glue strip is level with your bud. 

Step 6:

a woman’s hands roll up a marijuana joint, the paper has been tucked over the ground weed Carefully fold that glue strip over so that it lays flat on top of your bud, then gently tuck the strip into the other side of the paper. Start at the filter and work your way up. Take your time, this is the most important part of the Dutch Roll. When you’re done, the glue strip should be tucked under the paper tight with no creases anywhere.   

Step 7:

a woman’s hands hold up a joint that has been rolled, with excess paper sticking out The glue strip should now be facing up beneath a layer of paper. Lick the glue strip through the paper to wet it, then softly press your thumb or finger along the strip to make sure it sticks. You don’t have to soak the paper (this could make it rip), but make sure it’s wet enough to activate the glue. 

Step 8:

Give the now-sealed joint a little massage with your fingers to distribute the contents evenly, then tamp down any loose weed through the open end.  

Step 9a:

a woman’s hand rips off excess paper from a rolled joint Carefully tear the remaining flap of paper off the Dutch Roll along the glue strip, starting from the filter end. Be sure you don’t unseal the glue. If the paper isn’t tearing easily, wet it down again. 

Step 9b: 

If you’d like to add some flair, you can remove the flap with a lighter. Make sure the paper’s moistened along the glue strip, then take a lighter and run the flame along the edge of the flap to burn it off. The flame should die out when it hits the wet section. This also helps to dry the glue strip. 

Step 10:

a completed Dutch Roll joint is held in between fingers Twist up the end to close, light up that Dutch Roll, and pretend you’re staring out at the canals and windmills from an Amsterdam coffee shop.  

The Wrap Up

Once you’ve mastered crafting a filtered joint, a Dutch Roll is a great next step. It’s easy with a little practice, and you’ll have a tastier, smoother, and healthier joint to enjoy at the end.  

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Make an Inside Out Joint?

You flip the rolling paper over so the glue is facing out, add a crease, then add your crutch and ground weed and roll it as usual. Once you’re ready to close it off, carefully tuck the glue end under the other side of the paper so that it’s facing out. Lick the strip through the paper to seal it, then tear or burn off the remaining flap of paper. 

What is the Point of Backrolling?

Backrolling, or a Dutch Roll, uses less paper, which means a more flavorful smoke. It’s also smoother, because you’re not inhaling as much burning paper embers.  

How Do You Roll Tight Joints?

Once you’ve added your flower, take your time rolling it back and forth between your thumb and index fingers so that the evenly distributed weed is firm (but not compact). Carefully fold the shorter end of your paper over the weed, tuck it into the other side, then gently roll it up so it’s tight. Lick the glue strip to seal.