The different types of gasket filters

The most common method for using cannabis in France is the joint. Depending on habits and tastes, everyone has their own way of riding that's unique to it. Marroco, toncar or filtertip: a brief review of the different filters that can be used in a joint.

Classic filters for seals

La cale de Tabac or marroco

The old-timers swore by the tobacco wedge: a small piece taken from the end of an industrial cigarette, slipped into the tip of the joint. Now mostly associated with hashish, marroco has fallen into disuse among pot smokers, but remains common among pot users.

Advantage The taste of pot softens and is much less scratchy in the throat. No need to scratch cardboard.

DisadvantageMarroco needs to be handled delicately. If handled too roughly, it can be ruined as soon as the cigarette is snatched, or crushed by rolling or smoking. Another disadvantage is that marocco disintegrates with every change of hand. Whoever crushes it can ruin the enjoyment of the next player. As well as getting a few bits of tobacco on your lips.

Le Carton, toncar, tonc to his friends

The universal filter for the French pot smoker. Cut from the cardboard of rolling papers, Whether it's a cigarette pack or any thin, unplasticized cardboard, toncar has established itself as the reference that can be accessed anywhere, free of charge.

Advantages : It's everywhere on smokers' packaging: cigarette packs, leaves, business cards, etc. There's bound to be someone around the table with toncar.

DisadvantagesAvoid plasticized and magnetized cardboard such as subway tickets. Burning plastic or ink is extremely toxic.

Toncar also filters harmful substances very poorly and lets hot smoke through. For some years now, prefabricated cardboard tip books (RAW, Elements, Gizeh) have been available from tobacconists for a few cents - same principle, better-cut edges.

Prefabricated cardboard tips

Following on from toncar, prefabricated tips are small, pre-cut and perforated cardboard boxes, designed specifically to be rolled into filters. The RAW, Elements and OCB brands produce them. The advantage over DIY toncar: the size is calibrated, the edges are clean, and some models have accordion-style pre-cuts to create a spiral that slows smoke without blocking the draft.

Technical filters

Glass filters

Glass filters come in single tubes or internal spirals that swirl the smoke before it reaches the mouth. Result: cooler smoke, intact taste, no undesirable compounds. Reusable indefinitely, with isopropyl alcohol cleaning after a few sessions.

Benefits The best option among passive filters in terms of smoke quality. Fully preserves the terpenes and the taste of the flower. Tough for life.

Disadvantages Fragile, and you need to think about recovering it before the joint is too short. Higher purchase price (€3 to €10 per unit, depending on quality), but amortized over time.

Activated carbon filters

Less common in France but widespread in Germany and the Netherlands, activated charcoal filters (Actitube, Purize type) are cylindrical filters containing activated charcoal that absorbs some of the tar and toxins in smoke. Compatible with hand-rolled joints - simply inserted into the mouthpiece.

Benefits Measurable reduction in tar and combustion residues. Smoother, less irritating smoke. A good option for regular smokers concerned about reducing the impact on the respiratory tract.

Disadvantages : also absorbs part of the terpenes, The taste is slightly muted. For single use only. Price between €20 and €40 per pack of 50 units, depending on brand.

Spliff stick

The Spliff Stick, produced by Red Eye, is a reusable mouthpiece that passes smoke through an internal spiral before it reaches the mouth, capturing some of the toxic constituents. Clean after each use to maintain its effectiveness.

Benefits Reusable, compatible with any standard gasket.

Disadvantages Requires regular maintenance. Bulky to transport.

Cigarette holders with special filters

Cigarette holders fitted with special filters (Chacom type) capture tar and nicotine. For cannabis, the effectiveness is similar on combustion residues - but as Chacom itself points out, no tests have been carried out to measure the impact on the passage of THC. Effects may be slightly reduced.

Advantages : less harmful smoke for the lungs and palate

Disadvantages The effects could be reduced

What to avoid: plastic filters

The reusable plastic filter, sold as a solution that «cools the smoke without altering the taste», is to be avoided. Plastic and heat don't mix: burning or simply heating plastic can release toxic compounds (phthalates, bisphenol, flame retardants, depending on the plastics used). When glass or cardboard alternatives are available, there are no benefits to justify the risk.

Summary table