Rolling Derby: The First Pro Joint-Rolling League

Rolling Derby Brings Joint‑Rolling Out of the Shadows—and Onto the Main Stage

When someone breaks out the papers, conversation softens and heads instinctively swivel toward the action. There’s a quiet thrill in watching nimble fingers coax loose flower into a perfectly packed smoke.

From kitchen counters to festival fields, almost everyone who enjoys flower has tried rolling a quick J—but some practice the craft on a deeper level. They develop their own style. Do they favor an elegant swipe and pinch and sprinkle, or a scrape and dump, or a tilt and pour? Filter first? And a series of familiar confident hand movements, the result is a fabulous rolled joint for helping someone get high.

Today that timeless craft steps under bright lights with the inaugural Rolling Derby—the first professional league where speed, symmetry, and smooth burn decide the champion.

Yet despite how common it is, the talent involved rarely gets formal credit. That changes this summer with the launch of Rolling Derby, the world’s first professional joint‑rolling competition—proudly sponsored by RAW Rolling Papers and championed by us here at bud.com.

A Craft Worth Cheering For

Rolling well isn’t just about stuffing flower into paper and licking the edge. It’s:

Precision – Even grind, even pack, free airflow.
Speed – The pros can complete a cone before you finish your grin.
Style – Whether it’s a classic cone or fancy “tulip,” the best rolls look like art you want to smoke.

Rolling Derby celebrates all three, pitting nimble‑fingered rollers against the clock in two separate arenas:

Global Online League – Post a timed rolling video from anywhere on Earth and climb the leaderboards.
California Live Circuit – High‑energy in‑person events from the Bay to L.A..

Each league crowns its own champion—so online heroes and live‑event legends get their moments.

Why RAW Is the Perfect Partner

RAW founder Josh Kesselman built his brand on unrefined, additive‑free papers that let true flavor shine. Backing Rolling Derby fits that ethos: real craft, real culture, no gimmicks. We’ve stocked RAW for years, and seeing them elevate rolling from house‑party sidebar to headline sport feels like destiny.

bud.com’s Hand in the Action

We helped pilot early Derby test rounds this spring, supplying gear, stopwatches, and reording for history. Watching tentative first‑timers evolve into bracket‑worthy rollers left us grinning ear to ear. Supporting the public launch is just the next logical step.

We’re grateful to have access to the Berkeley Chapel of the Flowers, an event space with over 100 years of people celebrating flower in various forms. We help stage regular East Bay Berkeley California Rolling Derby events above Ashby BART with a dedicated lot.

Rolling Derby: Community‑Driven

Open to Everyone, Everywhere – If you’re 21 + and have rolling papers plus a phone camera, you’re in. No pricey buy‑ins or exclusive invites—just skill and nerve.
Clear Rules & Visible Scoring – Every entry runs on a public timer. Judges slow the footage, check symmetry, and share their scorecards so you can see exactly where points land.
Parallel Paths to Glory – One global online leaderboard and a separate series of live showcases mean you can compete from your couch or cheer ringside without missing out.
Built by Rollers, for Rollers – The community votes on seasonal tie‑breakers and specialty challenges. Rule tweaks come straight from participant feedback.
Culture Over Hype – It’s not just about speed; we shine a light on rolling techniques, regional styles, and the stories behind those magic fingers.

How to Enter—or Simply Cheer

Follow @rollingderby on X. Rules and timing guidelines drop June 1.
Join the mailing list at rollingderby.com for reminders, behind‑the‑scenes clips, and discount codes.
Film your roll (global league) or grab a ticket (California shows) – more info on rollingderby.com.
Like, share, and trash‑talk (respectfully) as the competitors emerge.

Need to sharpen your own skills first? We’ve got you covered:

how to roll a joint – step‑by‑step basics.
how to grind weed – dial in the perfect consistency.
how to roll a blunt – bigger wraps, similar finesse.

And while you’re practicing, you might like these handy tools shipped nationwide from our store:

Ready to Roll?

Whether you’re chasing a championship ring or just tighter Tuesday‑night joints, Rolling Derby turns a daily ritual into must‑watch sport—and gives every fast hand a shot at glory. We’ll be rolling, cheering, and toking ourselves.