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To filter or not to filter? This long-standing debate among cannabis enthusiasts has always puzzled me.

For years, I have been working with strictly crutches-free staff, where the filter seemed too new, unnecessary, and even frivolous. I respect simplicity and persistence in tradition, but I believe that many of you have encountered a crutches that collapsed on their own and adhered to resin while reading this article. On the one hand, I will pass it—especially because a hand-made, well-made cane is easy to complete.

Although it may seem unnecessary for some people to use crutches, a simple pleated paper filter that you make yourself (the filter detailed below) may even be considered in the era of ceramic tips and terpene-infused corn husk crutches. Obsolete. Nevertheless, even if the market is full of novel paperless and ready-made techniques, knowing how to fold your crutch is a simple skill that all cannabis lovers should know. 

Below, I test them to rank my least favorite filter designs. I judge them based on three simple criteria: ease of use, aesthetics of the finished product, and smokeability.

To make your own filter, you can choose to use pre-cut cane paper, Manila folders, index cards, pasta, or any paper that strikes a good balance between durability and foldability. 

Note: Avoid using printing paper or any paper that has been treated with chemicals that you don’t want to breathe. In this experiment, I used Manila folders and they worked very well.

The epitome of a crutches that looks cool, every marijuana lover should try the tip of the weed leaf filter. Although marijuana and cannabis leaves tend to have seven fingers (or more), most teaching resources on the Internet will show you how to make five-finger leaves. This is for your benefit, because not only is it difficult to make a seven-finger leaf for a crutches, but it may also require making a huge joint around it.

Small filters, these are not, because it is challenging to fold a leaf into a small crutch by hand. For this crutches, the pre-cut filter may be too small. I recommend starting with a sheet of paper that is four to five inches by one inch to make things easier.

Smokeability: This crutches lost points in smokeability, because one of the main reasons I use crutches is to get the wrong weed out of my mouth. In order to really enjoy the effect of the leaves, you need some big old open space in this cane, so expect some Scooby-Doo snacks.

Bottom line: It is the aesthetic winner of this competition, but it requires a little practice and ranks last in terms of smokeability, so weed leaves appear as the fourth alternative. This crutch took me three times to get down, and then I hit it again to shrink it to a manageable size, joint wise. This requires a little practice, but it is completely feasible. 

We temporarily gave up the paper cane and added a bit of MacGuyver-like tricks to this matchup. What I am talking about here is the real fusilli-pasta. When I heard about this filter hack, I immediately dismissed it. Pasta, in joint? of course not. It turns out that this is a very reliable alternative, if you can only master these.

Start with a piece of pasta. 

Smoking: fusilli spaghetti cane meets all requirements of functional filter. It provides a good base to keep weeds away from my mouth-while providing good airflow and easy sucking. My only problem is that the roll paper has gotten into some dents, which will restrict the airflow slightly-maybe choose a tighter spiral pasta because the pasta I use is rather loose. 

Also consider the diameter of the fusilli, as this will determine the size of the joint required. As a semi-Italian who likes pasta, I have proven that there are various shapes and sizes in the fusilli range, so please choose according to your needs and preferences.

Bottom line: The fusilli filter gets the main ease point. This is an unexpected competitor from the unconventional crutch team. I can officially recommend it. 

This beautiful tip marginalizes the weed-shaped filter because it is easier to make and more suitable for use as a crutch. The heart-shaped filter requires some fine work because it needs rounded edges rather than sharp folds. 

You need to start wrapping the paper with durable paper or pre-cut cane paper and wooden skewer (or other elongated round tool). I used the inside of the pen.

If you keep this crutches quite small, it has good drawability because it has good airflow. The larger version of this crutch will make the wrong weeds escape!

Bottom line: It's beautiful, and it's very functional. Only because of its secondary requirement for more skills, this crutch appeared in the middle of the package. It also requires gentle handling, because if you squeeze or press too hard, the rounded edges can easily collapse.

Accordion and basic filters are typical classic crutch options: try, test and be real. After I personally tested the newer and more advanced options, they topped my list for ease of use and functionality.

Accordion folding is slightly more complicated than basic folding, but their essence is the same. You need durable paper or pre-cut cane paper. 

Smokeability: The accordion filter needs to be folded twice as much as the basic filter, and the airflow can slide well. You can create as many folds as you want, but I find that more than four will restrict your airflow too much. 

Bottom line: It's as simple as a pie, and it works well. It's not as pretty as weed leaves or heart shapes, but if you value ease of use and functionality (I will do it all the time when rolling), then this might be for you.

Last but not least: the basic filter. This may be OG folding technology, and there are good reasons. It is very simple, it only takes three small folds to create the well-known iconic "M" or "W" shape. So this crutch lacks artistic talent, it makes up for cultural fit. For me, this is where it beats the accordion filter. 

You need durable paper or pre-cut cane paper to get started.  

This filter has been tried, tested and is correct. Good smokeability and fast production. If you are unfamiliar with crutches, add it to your scrolling game and it will work.

Bottom line: fast, simple, effective, and a clever tribute to aesthetics. Now that is my crutches. 

Featured image courtesy of Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

Lauren is a best-selling author and well-rounded nerd. When she is not writing a book, you will find that she is watching RuPaul's Drag Race, playing her ukulele, or thinking about the future of AI. You can find her on social media @laurendoesthis.

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