Can you relight a half used joint?

Yes, you can relight a half used joint. However, there are some things to keep in mind when doing so. When a joint is lit, the heat from the burning end causes the THC and other cannabinoids in the unlit portion to decarboxylate. This means the compounds lose a carboxyl group and become more psychoactive. So even if you don’t smoke the whole joint in one sitting, the unsmoked portion has already been partially activated by the heat.

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Should you relight a joint?

Relighting a joint is definitely possible, but it may not be the most pleasant experience. The taste and smoothness of the smoke will be diminished, as the unsmoked portion has already dried out. The smoke may taste harsh and cause coughing. Also, a relit joint tends to run and burn unevenly, making it more difficult to control.

Some other downsides to relighting a joint include:

Decreased potency – Some THC and other cannabinoids may have already decomposed due to oxidation during the time between lighting sessions.
Waste – The cherry (burning end) often falls off when relighting, resulting in wasted weed.
Messiness – Ash and residue can stick to the wet end, making for a messy smoking experience.

That said, there are some circumstances where relighting a joint may be your only option:

You need to pause smoking unexpectedly, and don’t want to waste what’s left.
You are trying to limit your consumption by smoking half a joint at a time.

You want to keep a joint rolled and partially smoked for convenience.

Overall, whether you relight a joint is a personal choice. The experience won’t be as ideal, but it’s still doable.

Tips for relighting a joint

If you do choose to relight a joint, here are some tips to make it a bit more pleasant:

Use a crisping technique – Lightly toast the end of the joint over a flame before fully relighting. This will dry it out and improve flavor.
Take smaller puffs – Long drags may make the harsh smoke less tolerable. Shorter puffs can minimize coughing.
Apply flame farther down – This prevents wasting bud from the cherry falling off.

Let it rest – Allow 15-30 minutes between lighting sessions to let some resin reconstitute.
Rewet it – Add a drop of water or saliva along the unsmoked portion to moisten it.
Mix with fresh weed – Combine the leftovers with some fresh bud in a bowl, joint, or vaporizer.

How long is a joint good for?

An unfinished joint will stay usable for 1-3 days after the initial lighting, depending on storage conditions. Leaving it out exposed to air causes it to dry out faster, shortening how long you can relight it. The best way to preserve a partially smoked joint is to put it in an airtight container or resealable bag. This will keep moisture in and let you re-light it within a day or two.

It also depends on the size of the joint and the amount left over. A joint with just a couple hits left will go bad faster than one with half or more still unsmoked. And joints rolled with lower quality, dried out bud may not even last a day before becoming too harsh and bad tasting.

Does relighting a joint get you higher?

Relighting a joint does not actually get you higher compared to smoking it fresh in one session. In fact, the THC content may be slightly reduced. However, it can feel more potent if you extinguish it halfway and then relight the second half later. This allows the initial THC absorbed to take full effect. Lighting the rest reignites the high, making it feel amplified. But in reality, you are not getting any additional THC from relighting.

The partially smoked joint may provide a more intense rush when reignited because smoke builds up in the unlit portion. Inhaling that concentrated initial exhale all at once can cause a powerful hit. This temporary sensation will not last long or get you higher overall though.

Can you save a joint for later?

Yes, you can save a partially smoked joint for later use. The best way to store it is in an airtight container, like a glass jar or resealable plastic bag. Try to minimize air exposure both during and after smoking to prevent the joint from drying out too quickly.

Here are some storage tips for preserving unfinished joints:

Let it cool off first – Don’t seal it hot or embers could ignite the container.
Use humidifying elements – Place a damp cotton ball or piece of lettuce to add moisture.
Keep it upright – Store vertically to prevent spilling and losing weed.

Refrigerate it – The cold prolongs freshness and prevents mold.
Freeze for long term – For several months of storage, freeze in an airtight bag or jar.

With proper storage, you can revive a saved joint for up to 1-2 weeks later. Just take it out ahead of time so it can come to room temperature and humidity. Then relight and enjoy your preserved smoke.

What to do with a joint you can’t finish?

Sometimes you may light up a joint but realize you can’t finish smoking the whole thing. Rather than forcing yourself to smoke it or wasting the leftover weed, here are some options:

Save it – Seal the unfinished joint in an airtight container to smoke later.
Infuse it – Use the unsmoked weed to make cannabis oil, butter, or edibles.

Smoke it – Transfer the leftovers to a pipe or bong to smoke. Mix with fresh herb.
Vape it – Vaporize the remaining weed to avoid the harsh smoke of a relit joint.
Discard it – If you don’t want to save or reuse it, douse it in water before throwing it out.

The most wasteful approach is leaving a lit joint to burn out unattended. So be sure to preserve or repurpose the leftovers rather than letting them turn to ash.

Conclusion

Relighting a joint is certainly possible, though the smoke quality won’t be fresh. With proper storage, you can save a partially smoked joint in an airtight container for later use. Let it rehumidify before smoking again for best results. Alternatively, incorporate the unsmoked weed into edibles or other preparations. While not ideal, relighting a joint lets you get the most out of your weed and avoid wasting your greens.