Hash Holes vs. Traditional Infused Joints: What's the Difference?
Curious what all the hype is about hash holes?
The cannabis pre-roll market is heating up, with traditional infused joints leading the way for years now. But hash holes (aka donut joints) are quickly stealing the spotlight as the new premium product for concentrate lovers everywhere.
But before you grab a box…
Hold up.
The two options might look similar. Both feature flower + concentrates. But they're actually very different. And the differences between hash holes and traditional infused joints matter.
It comes down to potency, flavour, burn quality, and the overall smoking experience.
In this article: The key differences between hash holes and traditional infused joints and why one may be more suitable for specific cannabis consumers.
Key Takeaways
What Makes Hash Holes Different From Infused Joints?
The Infused Pre-Roll Market Explosion
Hash Hole Benefits vs. Traditional Methods
Which One Should You Choose?
What Makes Hash Holes Different From Infused Joints?
Traditional infused joints and hash holes both feature cannabis flower combined with cannabis concentrates. But that's where the similarities end.
Traditional infused joints usually feature the concentrate applied in one of the following ways:
Coated on the outside of the rolling paper
Mixed into the ground flower
Sprinkled or dusted on top of the joint as kief or crumble
The concentrate is applied unevenly. This leads to inconsistent burn quality and hot spots that can ruin your smoking session.
Hash holes are the exact opposite
A hash hole is pre-roll that features a solid "worm" or snake of concentrate inside of a joint. This is usually live rosin or bubble hash. The flower surrounds it completely. As you smoke it, the concentrate melts and vaporizes slower than the flower, which burns around it. This leaves that signature donut-shaped hole in the ash.
See the difference?
The result is a joint that burns more evenly and consistently. Offers superior flavour. And is way more potent. With companies like Sorting Robotics building out automation equipment like the low maintenance donut joint roller, cannabis producers can now easily scale hash hole production.
Infused Pre-Roll Market Explosion
Let's talk about the market.
Numbers don't lie, people.
Infused pre-rolls reached 44.4% market share in the first half of 2024. That's nearly half of all pre-roll sales going to infused products.
Findings from the report show that pre-rolls have led to the fastest growth category in the cannabis industry over recent years.
The reason? Consumers want potency. They want convenience. And they want to smoke products that deliver a premium experience without the hassle of dabbing or learning complicated equipment.
Here's the crazy part…
A full 70% of pre-roll smokers buy infused pre-rolls. Not all of them buy them regularly. But when they do buy infused pre-rolls, they're going for hash holes 90% of the time.
The demand is there. It's a no-brainer why cannabis companies are racing to get involved.
Hash Hole Benefits vs. Traditional Methods
So what does it come down to?
Hash holes bring several key advantages over traditional infused joints that set them apart.
Even Burn Quality
Traditional infused joints tend to have a problem called canoeing. This is when one side burns faster than the other.
Coating the outside or unevenly mixing the concentrate with flower leads to this issue. Hot spots happen and the concentrate drips down the side.
Hash holes solve that problem right there.
The concentrate sits directly in the center of the joint and is surrounded by flower on all sides. Everything burns in unison. The rosin melts into the flower as it combusts. This results in a slow, even burn. The donut hole in the ash is the proof in the pudding.
Enhanced Flavour Profile
Hash holes absolutely shine in this department.
As the joint burns, the terpenes in the concentrate merge with the flower's natural flavours. This creates multiple layers of evolving flavour throughout the smoking session. Traditional infused joints can feel harsh or just one-note since the concentrate hits all at once.
Hash holes offer gradual, evolving flavour that changes with each puff.
Simply put, the taste is better.
Higher Potency
Regular joints test 20-25% THC. Hash holes often test 35-40% THC.
Yup, that's right. Hash holes are that potent.
The solid concentrate core really packs the punch. It's just much harder to match the effects with traditional infused joints.
Perfect for Sharing or Longer Sessions
Traditional joints are a quick smoke.
Hash holes take longer. That solid rosin core acts like a wick. It extends the overall smoking time and makes hash holes perfect for sharing or longer sessions.
Production Challenges: Why Hash Holes Cost More
Here's the not-so-fun part.
Hash holes ain't cheap.
Prices at dispensaries range from $50-$80 per joint on average. Why so expensive?
Rolling hash holes by hand is a time-consuming, skill-based process. Getting that concentrate worm centered perfectly takes time and patience. One slip and the joint won't burn right.
The concentrate is another cost factor too. Live rosin or bubble hash isn't cheap. Most hash holes use around 0.3 to 0.5 grams of premium concentrate alongside 1.5 to 2.5 grams of flower.
Automation is the game-changer here.
New hash hole roller technology has allowed producers to scale consistent products for lower prices. As more manufacturers adopt these machines, the average price should start to come down over time.
Traditional Infused Joints: When They Make Sense
No, hash holes aren't always better.
Traditional infused joints still have their use-case.
Lower price point. Budget-conscious consumers can enjoy a concentrate-enhanced joint without paying a premium price.
Production ease. Dispensaries can make infused joints more quickly and in larger volumes.
Variety of options. Mixing, coating, or sprinkling the concentrate offers different experiences.
Less intense. Perfect for casual consumers or those not looking for 40% THC hits.
Traditional infused joints are a gentle way for less experienced consumers to get into enhanced pre-rolls.
Which One Should You Choose?
It all depends on what you're looking for.
Hash holes are best for you if:
Maximum potency is your priority
Superior flavour is a must-have
You prefer slow, even burns
You like premium products that you can share with friends
Traditional infused joints are best for you if:
You're watching your budget
You want a wide range of product availability
You prefer milder effects
Convenience is king
Both options are going to offer a more elevated experience compared to rolling your own flower joint. But hash holes and traditional infused joints represent two distinct ways to do that. Knowing the difference between the two and why they burn differently can help you decide.
Wrapping Things Up
Hash holes and traditional infused joints both feature flower and concentrates. But when it comes to comparing them against one another, there are several key differences to understand.
Traditional infused joints coat or mix concentrates with ground flower. They're cheaper and much more widely available. But they often burn unevenly. And because of that, they can create inconsistent highs.
Hash holes are the exact opposite. They feature a solid concentrate core surrounded by flower on all sides. As you smoke, the rosin melts into the flower. This produces a slow, even burn. The taste is superior too. Plus, with hash holes, it's way harder to not get super stoned.
The cannabis industry has already seen an explosive growth in the infused pre-roll market. Hash holes have emerged as the gold standard of products to serve that market. With hash hole production automation tech improving all the time, expect prices to start coming down too.
For now, it's up to you. Buy both. Try both. See which one you prefer. You might be surprised just how much better hash holes are compared to traditional infused joints.
