Over the past few years, the pre-roll market has expanded exponentially. While those in the industry can likely attest to this trend through anecdotal experience, the increase in pre-roll sales is undeniably significant. Pre-rolls now hold the title of the second-largest growth segment out of all cannabis products on the market, outpaced only by flower. Consumers are showcasing their demand for both pre-roll packs and higher-priced infused pre-rolls. Sales of infused pre-rolls doubled in both 2020 and 2021, and pre-roll packs accounted for nearly half of all pre-roll sales in 2021.
These trends have compelled 95 percent of United States pre-roll brands to implement expansion plans. Packing pre-rolls on a commercial scale has presented challenges throughout the history of the industry because the technology available to automate high-quality pre-roll production was lacking. Fortunately, engineers who specialize in processing plant matter for smoking have demonstrated the industry’s ability to innovate in a short amount of time. The industrial machines on the market today fill thousands of precisely measured pre-rolls in a single hour. These technological feats integrate with other post-harvest processing systems and allow for key customizations and performance with more precision than the human hand. The machines to which we now have access create significant long-term cost savings, yield higher sales prices, and create better margins for businesses.
Given the degree of consumer spending on flower, procuring even a small share of the billion-dollar category can be highly lucrative. The numerous pre-roll brands across the country have an opportunity to gain a competitive edge in an emerging market niche. Currently, there are more than 600 pre-roll labels operating nationally without any single brand dominating more than three percent of the market. The most beneficial time for businesses to invest in expansion and improvement of production with one of the best pre-roll machines may be this exact moment in the industry’s evolution.
JuanaRoll by Canapa – up to 4,000 per hour
Canapa’s innovative eight-channel JuanaRoll automated pre-roll machine includes cone-no-fill detection and a cone open camera vision system. The machine’s camera vision integration is part of its user-friendly HMI which enables businesses to create unlimited recipe setups and provides easy control over compaction and twisting. Real-time production reporting can be displayed at the touch of a button and data is easily exported via email or USB. The included online support cameras, filter-in-place detection, and integrated how-to videos make the JuanaRoll a particularly user-friendly machine.
In addition to its user-friendly features, the JuanaRoll is a highly customizable pre-rolled cone filling machine. It offers three different options for cone presentation; the JuanaRoll can twist, twist and trim, or crown pre-rolls after they have been filled. The JuanaRoll can be outfitted to include an automatic trimmer, a second compaction station, and a cone changeover kit. It is also available in four-, six-, and eight-channel configurations. These customization options can significantly reduce the need for manual labor and the length of processing time. Cost estimates for each customer’s JuanaRoll system are determined on an individual basis.
GreenBroz Holy Roller – up to 3,000 per hour
GreenBroz has earned industry-wide recognition for its post-harvest processing equipment with awards to back it up, and its engineers have been hard at work developing the company’s first pre-roll filling machine, the Holy Roller. Most pre-roll machines feature standard rotary tables and square footprints, but GreenBroz stands out with its new inline design, developed to increase throughput and accuracy. To ensure precision, the Holy Roller also features a unique fine fill station, an active weighing system that lifts the cone out of the holder and weighs it independently before “fine filling” within .001 of a gram.
Not only does the Holy Roller fill and tamp simultaneously, the machine automatically separates underweight joints to a rejection station for easy recycling. Users will also enjoy flexibility and ease of use with the machine’s ability to pack any size joint using the same paper cone. While the Holy Roller can be integrated with other systems, its accuracy and efficiency are optimized when the flower is ground by the GreenBroz Model G Precision Grinder. When a business purchases a pre-roll machine from GreenBroz, the same engineers who designed the technology will help with setup and training to ensure customers get the most out of their pre-roll production. The Holy Roller will be available soon in 2022.
Knockbox by Futurola – up to 2,000 per hour
The Knockbox by Futdurola is easy to set up, easy to customize, and fairly affordable with a retail price at around $5,625. The system includes the Knockbox 3 base, controller, power cord, spill tray, and the Standard Filling Kit: a 36mm mix tray, a standard filling device, an unload station, and a wooden box. Futurola’s pre-roll machine is compatible with 16 varieties of Futurola pre-rolled cones that range in size from 0.5-gram pre-rolled cones up to 2-gram pre-rolled cones.
To pack the cones, the Futurola Knockbox uses a tamping system that bounces the cones up and down while lightly tapping the crutches of the papers during filling. The unloading feature on the machine and its vibrating design ensure a compact cone without air pockets. There are a range of attachments and accessories available to enhance the packing process, such as 4 different variations of filling kits, half-size mix trays for specialty cones, and cone loaders.
PreRoll-ER 200 – 1,500 per hour
The PreRoll-ER 200 works with all types of strains and infused joints in both conical and cylindrical pre-rolls. As an optional addition, the manufacturers also offer a direct oil injection system. PreRoll-ER guarantees a tolerance of 0.01 grams by weighing before and after filling with its Exit Weight Checking and Reject Station. With its advanced PLC and HMI control panel, the joint filling machine provides extensive statistical data on production that can be used to improve operations.
PreRoll-ER claims the machine can replace 15 to 20 operators per shift, producing a rapid ROI with its auto-loading cone feature that requires no manual handling. There is also a video gallery on maintenance and operation procedures as well as an accessible support team available to help users keep their pre-roll production running smoothly. This summer, the company won the 2022 award for best packaging equipment at the O’Cannabiz Industry Awards Gala.
King Kone Pre Roll Machine – up to 1,000 per hour
At an affordable price of $1,699, King Kone offers less impressive production capacities than its competitors but boasts the ability to accommodate all cone sizes. Custom attachments are also available for dog walkers, slims, and tubes. Operation is fairly easy, all the user has to do is set up the appropriate filling trays, load the cones, and initiate the process by filling the top tray with the desired product. A convenient adjustable knob allows users to specify their desired density while packaging the product.
King Kone’s machine can fill 169 cones per run and comes with a vibrating box with a control panel on the side, a clear lid, two overflow containers to catch any excess material that doesn’t make it into the cones, and an 84-90 millimeter tray with an additional extension tray to add a 109mm tray. Each machine is 3D printed in the United States, sold under a one-year warranty, and comes in orange, red, yellow, black, blue, or green.
Thousand Per Hour 512 Joint Rolling Machine – up to 1,000 per hour
The Thousand Per Hour 512 Joint Rolling Machine is easy to install and clean with only four basic parts: the basket, the cone plate, the cradle, and the filling funnel. Made of heavy-duty plastic and stainless steel, the machine is also easy to clean with boiling hot water and ethanol cleaning solution. The cone plate can also be cleaned in the dishwasher. Easy maintenance from smooth operations was clearly prioritized in the construction of the TPH 512.
This machine is designed for businesses that have crossed the threshold of 3,000 pre-rolls per week and need to ramp up production capacity. To ensure maximum efficiency and accuracy, manufacturers can select from 98 plate sizes for the machine based on the exact cones they use. Available pre-roll plate sizes include accommodations for Original Cones, Raw Cones, F-Series Cones, and Custom Cones USA. The TPH 512 sells for $5,445, but users can opt for the extensions package with add-on plates and a cradle to consistently hit 5,000 joints per week delivery requirements.
STM RocketBox 2.0 – up to 1,000 per hour
The STM Canna RocketBox 2.0 is a fast, efficient, and user-friendly pre-roll cone filling machine. While installation and training are mostly self-guided, STM Canna offers built-in training videos and an easy-to-use HMI seven-inch touch screen that makes it easy to learn the machine in a short amount of time. Each RocketBox also comes with a one-year warranty on parts and labor or an optional extended warranty to double production rates. Featuring a top tray, bottom tray, loading box, and density testing beaker, this machine sells for $18,425.
The Rocketbox 2.0 can accurately pack king-size, slim, standard, and dogwalker pre-rolls with its PLS pressure adjustability. Users can also adjust the shaker speed and cycle time to fine-tune their end product. The machine features proprietary smart density software to ensure accurate cone weight and density to ensure consistent results. With its durable components and OSHA certification, the RocketBox 2.0 offers an appealing option for large-scale businesses.
Blackbird by RollPros – up to 750 per hour
Engineered to scale up in accordance with business expansion, the Blackbird by RollPros is a completely modular unit that enables users to add components. Instead of a vibrating or “knocking” compaction system, Blackbird’s unique TruRoll technology uses an automated radial compaction system to mimic the actions of hand-rolling a joint, creating even density pre-rolls that smoke more smoothly. The machine, capable of handling varying cannabis grinders and grind sizes, dry infusions, and kief-covered strains, offers users enhanced control over their pre-roll packing process with customization features for any grind. Blackbird allows users to select their paper which can lower paper and filter costs to just $0.03 per pre-roll.
During installation, the customer service team works onsite with engineers to create a unique environment equipped to provide personalized service to every client. All RollPros systems are also connected to AWS cloud. Manufacturers who use the Blackbird can access and integrate data collected through their existing reporting systems and processes, providing operations with additional pre-roll production insights to leverage. The machine is sold for $225,000, boasts a fill accuracy of 0.03 grams, and supports 40,000 pre-rolls per bobbin.