Ever wondered where the first rolling company was created or when the first record of someone smoking a joint was? If so, you’re definitely going to want to check out this article! Many people in the cannabis culture love consuming this plant rolled up into what is commonly known as a joint. While it has gone by many names the joint is one of the most popular consumption methods, however, not many individuals can tell you the history surrounding their origin.
No worries. Here at CLN with Expert Joints, we believe that history of this magnitude should be available for those who want to be in the know. If you want to elevate your knowledge surrounding this topic, check out the info below! Remember sharing is caring, so be sure to share this knowledge with others next time you sesh!
First Rolling Paper Company
Without rolling papers, rolling a joint would be quite difficult. That is why it is essential that we first look at the origins of the rolling paper before learning the history behind the joint itself. In 1532, it is said that Alexandro Rizlette de Cramptone Lacroix traded a rolling paper for wine. The exchange happened between him and a group of French soldiers.
Many individuals believe that the rolling paper originated in France, however, according to history, it was actually in Spain. The Lacroix family opened the first rolling paper company in 1736 named the Lacroix Rolling Paper Company. The family, however, had already been mass producing rolling papers since the mid-1600s.
First Record of a Joint
The first recorded history of someone consuming cannabis in a rolled cigarette form was from a pharmacist in the 1850s. This pharmacist at the University of Guadalajara noted that people in the workforce had begun to add cannabis to their tobacco cigarettes.
In the 1870s, the first known ad for joints was published in The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. This ad was for Grimault’s Indian Cigarettes, which were cannabis rather than tobacco rolled like a cigarette. AKA, joints.
Unique Names for Cannabis Consumers and the Joints We Consume
When it comes to the name of what people call our rolled herbal concoctions the most common of course is a joint. Some of the other more common ones include doobie, J, fatty, spliff, and ganjastick. Regarding those who consume cannabis well, most call us stoners or potheads.
However, throughout history joints and those who consume them have been called quite a few other things that you may not be aware of. Here are some of the other terms and their history below.
- Muggle: No, this is not a Harry Potter reference! In 1931, TIME published an article that defined muggle as meaning “a variety of hemp weed long common in Mexico.” According to the Atlantic, it was also a slang word for marijuana in the Jazz crowd during the 1920s.
- Vipers: During the Jazz era of the 1920s, cannabis connoisseurs (consumers) were commonly referred to as Vipers which you can learn more about below.
- Other: In 1941, TIME published an article called “The Weed” which quoted the following in regard to cannabis slang terminology of the time:
“Marijuana may be called muggles, mooter, Mary Warner, Mary Jane, Indian hay, loco weed, love weed, bambalacha, mohasky, mu, moocah, grass, tea or blue sage.”
“In most U. S. cities the marijuana salesman peddles his cigarettes to known clients in public places. He is known to his clients as a “pusher.” His clients are known as “vipers.” Etiquette between pushers and vipers is necessarily delicate. When he wants to buy, the viper sidles up to the pusher and inquires “Are ya stickin’?” or “Are ya layin’ down the hustle?” If the answer is affirmative, the viper says, “Gimme an ace” (meaning one reefer), “a deuce” (meaning two), or “a deck” (meaning a large number).”
Now, when it comes time for your next sesh, you have the information you need to spark knowledge in others surrounding the history of joints!
Article courtesy of Expert Joints. Written by AshleyP from CannaLance (Canna-Lance.com, @CannaLance, @MJWriter87)