Michigan’s recreational cannabis market is teeming with prerolls, from standard one-gram joints to potent hash holes. Credit: Steve Neavling
The days of settling for your friend’s poorly rolled joints are over.
Michigan’s recreational cannabis market is teeming with prerolls, from classic one-gram joints to infused versions with glass tips. Prices range from a few bucks to $50 for a rosin-infused “doink.”
Prerolls are convenient, perfect for sharing, and an affordable way to try new strains and cultivators. Some are ideal for a night out, while others are better for a more laid-back evening.
They vary wildly in size, style, and quality. On the low end, Dragonfly churns out $1 joints stuffed with low-quality shake. The most common prerolls are one gram, have a cardboard tip, and generally range from $3 to $10. Handrolled two-gram joints, often called cannons, are a step up and usually have a wood or glass tip. Then there are prerolls infused with concentrates like live rosin or bubble hash, and they generally range from $12 to $50.
Even the names vary. There are doinks, donuts, doobies, cones, snowcones, shorties, cannons, and hash holes. Like most things, better quality usually means a higher price, though there are impressive exceptions, and I’ll share those below. The most popular prerolls are like fast food fries. They’re cheap and get the job done, but there are way better options than the corporate giants flooding dispensary shelves with mediocre products.
Many growers stuff their prerolls with dry trim and shake, while the best rely on sticky, ground-up flower.
With thousands of prerolls on the market, finding the right ones for the right moment can get frustrating and expensive. I learned firsthand. Obsessed with finding the best prerolls among a mountain of mediocre options, I smoked more than 250 different prerolls from roughly 65 cultivators this year, which came out to a little less than one a day.
But finding the right prerolls is only half the battle. Many dispensaries hang on to unsold prerolls for more than a year, so it’s important to ask your budtender for the harvest date. Anything older than four months will start to deteriorate and get dry, especially because most prerolls come in a plastic container.
Without further ado, these are my favorite prerolls in 2025.
Classic one-gram joints with cardboard tips:
Lantz by Hytek: It’s no surprise Detroit-based Hytek spun up one of the best one-gram prerolls this year after dropping Lantz, a unique and flavorful strain that was crowned best overall flower in the Zalympix, the most reputable cannabis competition in Michigan. The joint was fresh and smooth, with a creamy, tart lime aroma. The price ranges from $5 to $10, depending on where you get it. Tip: The Refinery in Detroit sells Hytek prerolls for $5. This is an evenly balanced hybrid, so it’s good for relaxing or going out. Credit: Steve NeavlingRainbow Beltz by the Hive: This independent, woman-owned dispensary in Hazel Park grows some of the best flower in Michigan, and the Hive only uses sticky, pungent buds for its prerolls. It was difficult to pick a favorite because their entire lineup dialed in, but Rainbow Beltz stood out for its candy-like flavor and soothing effects. This is ideal for a cozy night in. The Hive’s one-gram prerolls cost just $6 at its dispensary. Credit: Steve NeavlingMoon Melon by Pro Gro: This preroll has a sweet melon flavor, produces a euphoric high, and delivers a smooth pull. Pro Gro offers plenty of strains, but this was the standout. Moon Melon is an evenly balanced hybrid with effects that are both euphoric and soothing. It’s perfect for anything that doesn’t require much energy. The preroll goes for $6 to $10. Credit: Steve NeavlingLime Headz by Peninsula Gardens: With a sour lime and candy fruit flavor, Lime Headz has a refreshing taste and is one of the most energizing strains on my list. It’s a go-to for daytime smokers or a night out. The prerolls come in glass containers and sell for $8 to $10. Credit: Steve NeavlingBolo Runtz by Growing Pains: Bolo Runtz is all about the flavor, with a candy, citrus, and creamy profile. The joint was smooth and fresh and delivered a potent high. This indica-leaning hybrid is ideal when your only plans are relaxing, whether it’s at home, the movies, or a brewery. The prerolls range from $5 to $8. Credit: Steve NeavlingBubblegum Sherb by Hytek: Another of my favorites from Hytek is Bubblegun Sherb, one of the tastiest prerolls I’ve had this year. The flavor is a sweet, fruity bubblegum with notes of cream and citrus. An indica-dominant hybrid, this preroll is best enjoyed in the evening for a soothing, relaxing time. Credit: Steve NeavlingGG4 by Freshy Fine: No one in Michigan grows this old-school strain better than Freshy Fine, and their prerolls reflect that. If you’re looking for a hard-hitting joint that will leave you sedate and fully relaxed, this is the choice. The flavor is a combination of earthy and sour, with notes of diesel and pine. These sell for $6 to $10. Credit: Steve Neavling
Specialty prerolls:
Z Pie by 710 Labs: This Colorado-born company is known for its live rosin, but it also offers pungent flower. Z Pie boasts a candy-sweet, dessert-like flavor with notes of grape pie. Instead of relying on the typical cardboard filter for its one-gram “doinks,” 710 Labs uses a gluten-free rotini noodle for a tip, which helps with airflow. The effects are evenly balanced and uplifting, making it a good option for a concert or hanging out with friends. Doinks sell for about $15. Credit: Steve NeavlingMandarin Skittlez by Tip Top Crop: This hand-rolled, 1.5-gram cannon comes with a wood tip that helps bring out the tangy citrus and sweet candy-like flavor. Prepare to share because this is a large, potent joint. The effects are energizing and mood-boosting, so it works well for daytime chores, social plans, or anything that requires a bit of motivation. They’re priced at $15 to $20. Credit: Steve NeavlingApples & Bananas by Information Entropy: A two-gram cannon with a wood tip, this fatty will impress just about any stoner. The draws are incredibly smooth, making the flavor of funk, fruit, and spice more pronounced. Apples & Bananas is an evenly balanced hybrid, so it’s a versatile choice for just about any occasion. These go for $20. Credit: Steve NeavlingSlurmz by Voyage Bloom: One of the most flavorful strains to hit Michigan’s recreational market, this two-gram preroll with a glass tip packs a bold aroma of grape and crisp apples, complemented by the tangy punch of a classic energy drink. Not surprisingly, Slurmz cleaned up in the 2024 Zalymix competition in Michigan, winning for best overall flower, best terps, and best tasting. The effects are euphoric and uplifting, so take this with you on your next night out, and you’ll be the envy of your stoner friends. These sell for $20 to $26. Credit: Steve NeavlingGiraffe Puzzy by Doja: One of the most oddly named strains in Michigan, Giraffe Puzzy gives off a strong fruity, candy, and floral smell, with notes of diesel. The one-gram prerolls are short and chubby with a wood tip. The effects are evenly balanced, making it well-suited for just about any activity that doesn’t require too much exertion. At $20 each, these chubbers may be the most expensive one-gram joints in Michigan. Credit: Steve NeavlingHoney Holes by Wojo: Dubbed Honey Holes by Wojo, these beasts come with a glass tip and are stuffed with 1.5 grams of flower and 0.5 grams of rosin. Wojo makes a variety of these, and my favorite so far is Gushers N’ Cream x Garlicane. The complex flavor is garlicky, musky, peppery, and creamy, with some diesel for good measure. If you and your friends are able to finish this, prepare for a night with nothing to do but relax. They sell for $40 to $45. Credit: Steve NeavlingCherry Zest #4 flower and Strawberry Guava #9 by 710 Labs: Noodle Doinks, as 710 Labs calls them, are an indulgence, but they’re a fun way to celebrate a birthday, ring in the new year, or enjoy other meaningful moments. With 1.5 grams of flower and 0.5 grams of rosin, Noodle Doinks pack a strong punch and are extra flavorful. My favorite is Cherry Zest #4 flower and Strawberry Guava #9, and it tastes just like its name suggests. This one provides some energy and euphoria for a daytime adventure or an adventurous night out with friends. They go for about $50. Credit: Steve NeavlingConfetti by Ice Kream Hash: If you want a more inexpensive option that still hits hard and is smaller, Ice Kream Hash has you covered with these miniature rosin-infused prerolls. At .5 grams each, these are a combination of flower and rosin. But don’t let their size fool you. They are potent. These little guys are priced at about $9 each or $25 for a pack of three. Credit: Steve Neavling
Steve Neavling is an award-winning investigative journalist who operated Motor City Muckraker, an online news site devoted to exposing abuses of power and holding public officials accountable. Neavling...
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