Spliff Definition – What Is a Spliff?

---

• 1. Spliff definition
• 2. Why is it called a spliff?
• 3. What do spliffs look like?
• 4. Color of a spliff
• 5. Size of a spliff
• 6. What it contains
• 7. Should i roll a spliff?
• 8. Effects of using a spliff
• 8. a. Relaxed
• 8. b. Calm
• 8. c. Blissful
• 8. d. Light-headed
• 8. e. Drowsy
• 8. f. Hungry
• 9. Physical effects of smoking a spliff
• 10. Psychological effects of smoking a spliff
• 11. Benefits of spliffs
• 11. a. Easier to roll
• 11. b. More discreet
• 11. c. Less expansive smoke
• 11. d. Burns smoother
• 12. Do spliffs get you higher?
• 13. Disadvantages of spliffs
• 14. Faq
• 14. a. What is a spliff in slang?
• 14. b. Are spliffs good?
• 14. c. Who invented spliffs?
• 14. d. What does spliff mean in uk?
• 14. e. Are spliffs and joints the same?
• 14. f. Do spliffs get you higher than joints?

---

Spliffs are maybe not the most popular form of consuming cannabis (that distinction goes to joints), but many smokers, especially in Europe, use this type of rolled marijuana cigarette all the time. So, if you want to be a true expert in cannabis culture, you need to know how spliffs differ from joints and blunts and which one of them, if any, will suit your personal style.

In this article, we'll describe what spliffs look like and what they contain and also talk about their benefits and shortcomings. For starters, let's define spliff.

Spliff Definition

While on the outside a spliff may look pretty much like a regular joint, it's what it contains that makes all the difference. Joints are rolled with nothing but pure weed. Spliffs, on the other hand, also contain tobacco. It's not like a dictionary definition or anything and the meaning of the word may depend on where you are, but generally, a spliff is a cannabis cigarette in which some tobacco is mixed in with buds.

In North America, consuming tobacco and weed together is hardly popular, but in Europe, when someone consumes cannabis by smoking, they very often use spliffs.

Why is it Called a Spliff?

The origin of the word isn't exactly clear, but it's believed to have originated in the so-called West Indies or, to be more exact, in Jamaica. Originally, it had nothing to do with tobacco. Rather, it was a slang term to lovingly call an especially big or potent joint. Interestingly, Jamaicans still use the word in this meaning despite the fact that it stands for something completely different in Europe and elsewhere. 

What do Spliffs Look Like?

Spliffs may be bigger than joints, and there's a reason for that – people still want to get high smoking them, and with tobacco added to the mix, they need more space to pack enough weed too. Another thing is the color. If you use transparent paper for rolling, the mix will appear browner in spliffs – because of tobacco – and greener in joints. But mostly, you won't tell one from the other until you light up, and then the difference will be striking.

Color of a Spliff

Actually, if we talk probability, spliffs tend to look distinct from regular joints as people who like to mix marijuana and tobacco more often use tobacco paper for rolling. These tobacco papers can be plain or flavored, and when they're flavored, they sport bright patterns like strawberries or bananas, etc. If you see something as gaudy as this, you can bet your life it isn't some plain old joint as dedicated marijuana smokers value too much the natural taste of their bud to add any alien flavor.

However, if plain white, translucent, or tan hemp paper is used, both joints and spliffs look the same – greenish-brownish, well, maybe more brownish in the case of spliffs.

Size of a Spliff

The size of a spliff depends on the size of the rolling paper you're using (see the table below). As we said earlier, an average spliff is bigger than an average joint as you need more weed/tobacco mix to get high than pure weed. However, spliffs, just like joints, come in all shapes and sizes – which depends on whether you smoke alone or with someone else or pass your marijuana cigarette around to everyone and their grandma. 

 

What it Contains

A spliff contains both tobacco and buds, and the ratio depends on your personal taste. A 50/50 mix is a good starting point, but of course, you can change it either way. Some smokers say they use up to 80% of tobacco and only 20% of buds. By the way, it needn't be just buds. You can mix in concentrates as well. We have personally witnessed someone emptying regular cigarettes – with filters and all – then patiently rubbing hashish into tobacco crumbs, and finally stuffing everything back in. 

Should I Roll a Spliff?

Though the example in the previous paragraph describes a legitimate method of making a spliff, it's also rather cumbersome and time-consuming. You'll be better off rolling your spliff. It's just the same as rolling a joint but easier as tobacco is generally softer and more pliable. Just make sure you mix your weed and tobacco thoroughly enough so that you get the same amounts of both substances in every toke.

Effects of Using a Spliff

As you might guess, the effects differ depending on what you're used to – pure weed or pure tobacco. If you're a cigarette smoker but haven't had any previous experience with cannabis, you'll be overwhelmed with novel sensations collectively called marijuana high. If you're a weed smoker but have never touched a cigarette in your life, you may find the high from a spliff less potent but more stimulating than a regular joint.

Relaxed

Most marijuana users say weed makes them more relaxed, and they mean both physical and mental relaxation. Tobacco, despite being a stimulant, may also relax you, especially if you have abstained from smoking for too long – to the point of irritability and agitation.

Calm

In small, doses cannabis can make you calm, and spliffs are known for exactly that – providing smaller doses of THC than other methods of consumption. Please note that if you want calm-inducing effects, stick to Indicas and Indica-dominant hybrids and stay away from pure Sativas.

Blissful

Some marijuana strains make you feel like you're on the summit of your existence and the whole world is at your feet. With tobacco in the mix, these feelings of bliss are only strengthened.

Light-Headed

If you've never been exposed to tobacco smoke, the first few sessions involving spliffs may make you lightheaded. You can also white out (aka green out) from marijuana, but this feeling goes way beyond light-headedness. It's more like full-fledged fainting.

Drowsy

Those used to cigarettes making them more awake and alert may find it surprising that a spliff sometimes makes you drowsy or groggy. Though countered a bit by tobacco, these effects may result in your falling asleep. 

Hungry

Again, cigarette smokers may be taken by surprise when they smoke a spliff and feel hungry. Tobacco is known for blunting appetite, but cannabis has the totally opposite effect: it makes you crave food and savor every bit of it. This is known as 'munchies'.

Physical Effects of Smoking a Spliff

The short-term physical effects of weed in a spliff are a body buzz that gets even more intense for those who aren't accustomed to tobacco and pleasant tiredness (lessened a bit by the stimulating qualities of tobacco). 'Lightweights' may even want to sit down or lie down as their knees will suddenly feel weak.

But besides these short-term desirable changes in your body, there'll be some nasty things happening to you long-term, and most of them are due to tobacco. They include chronic bronchitis (cannabis contributes to this one too), emphysema, and of course, cancer. Research has demonstrated that THC and other cannabinoids in marijuana have anti-cancer properties, but they're not enough to counteract the pro-cancer action of tobacco. So, think about it when you decide what type of doobie to roll.

Psychological Effects of Smoking a Spliff

Smoking a spliff will instantly fill your head with a rush of euphoria and good mood, making you more alert and full of mental energy. You're also likely to feel more optimistic and less anxious, but keep smoking and this will change as too much THC often leads to an increase in anxiety or even paranoia.

Long-term consumption of spliffs may have several unwanted side effects some of which are caused by cannabis and others by tobacco. The cannabis part may contribute to dependence, cognitive impairment, and poor memory while tobacco use has an even greater addictiveness and increases tension and levels of stress. Besides, attempts are made to link both substances to the increased risk of schizophrenia and depression although the science has yet to reach a conclusion.

What is indisputable are the withdrawal symptoms that you're certain to have once you quit either substance. For tobacco, the main withdrawal symptom is intense cravings. For marijuana, it's poor sleep. Besides, quitting either may make you irritable, anxious, nervous, tired, and generally miserable. The effects on the appetite are exactly the opposite: quitting tobacco leads to being constantly hungry and quitting marijuana may result in decreased food intake and even weight loss.

Benefits of Spliffs

You might wonder: do spliffs have any advantages compared with joints? Is it worth mastering this new kind of cannabis cigarette? Well, if you don't have anything against tobacco, spliffs definitely have a pleasant surprise or two in store for you.

Easier to Roll

The presence of tobacco in the mix makes rolling noticeably easier. It's softer, so you're less likely to tear your paper, spill your stuff, or roll the world's ugliest doobie.

More Discreet

If you want to smoke marijuana in plain sight, tobacco in your spliff may mask the smell, making people around you think you're smoking a regular hand-rolled cigarette. It's great for countries or states where marijuana consumption is still illegal.

Less Expansive Smoke

A joint can make even a long-time cigarette smoker cough their lungs out. While some believe coughing makes you higher, most would prefer to be spared this dubious pleasure. Marijuana irritates your airways because of the THC in it. Maybe inhaling deep and trying to hold the smoke inside plays its role too. Be it as it may, tobacco is much easier on your throat and lungs than weed so a spliff makes you cough less.

Burns Smoother

Don't you hate running joints – when one side burns much faster than the other? You can counter this by using a double sheet of rolling paper or wetting the running side with your spit. You also may be pleasantly surprised by spliffs burning smoother due to the presence of tobacco.

Do Spliffs Get You Higher?

Toke for toke, spliffs are less potent than regular joints. The reason is obvious – you get much less THC every time you inhale. But if you're not used to tobacco, it can make the euphoric rush from weed even more intense. But then, of course, the tolerance to tobacco kicks in almost overnight and its effects lose their intensity. Then, the overall strength of the high will depend on the type of weed – Sativa or Indica. Sativas become even more stimulating because of tobacco while Indicas mellow out their knockout power.

Disadvantages of Spliffs

The main disadvantage of spliffs – a real show stopper – is the harm from inhaling tobacco smoke. Many serious side effects of this nasty habit, including the Big C, are well-documented and observed in hundreds of studies. So, think twice before adding tobacco to your smokes. Besides ruining your health, it may also ruin the taste of your marijuana cigarette or at least change it. If you're one of those people who choose their strains by their smell and taste, stop doing that if you plan to smoke your buds in spliffs – you won't catch any notes other than tobacco.

Also, forget about smoking spliffs while chilling on the couch. Marijuana smoke may be pungent short-term, but it doesn't linger. Tobacco smoke, on the other hand, has a regrettable tendency to stay on your furniture and walls forever. Yeah, and bad breath, let's not forget about bad breath.

FAQ

What is a spliff in slang?

The slang term 'spliff' means 'an especially big or potent marijuana cigarette' in Jamaica where it originated. In other parts of the world, spliff came to mean a special kind of cigarette where ground-up cannabis has been mixed with tobacco.

Are spliffs good?

Like many things in life that are bad for you, spliffs are an enjoyable form of cannabis consumption – if you don't mind the smell of tobacco smoke, of course. They smoke smoother than joints, don't make you cough so much, and their effects are less sedating and more stimulating.

Who invented spliffs?

While the word itself is Jamaican, spliffs – meaning marijuana cigarettes with tobacco mixed in – were probably invented in the UK or Europe. At least, these are the countries where spliffs are the most popular.

What does spliff mean in UK?

In the UK, smoking spliffs means smoking cannabis. However, the majority of users here mix buds with tobacco, so when you're invited to smoke a spliff, it's likely to be a blend of cannabis and tobacco rolled into a cigarette and not pure cannabis.

Are spliffs and joints the same?

In the UK and Europe, the terms 'joint' and 'spliff' may be used interchangeably as when people here roll a cannabis cigarette, they usually add tobacco. In the US, the word 'spliff' only refers to such cigarettes while joints always refer to cigarettes containing nothing but cannabis.  

Do spliffs get you higher than joints?

One toke from a spliff will make you less high than one toke from a joint because the former contains less THC. However, if you're not used to tobacco, it'll create its own stimulating rush that may add to the high.