How to Grind Weed Without a Grinder

Co-authored by Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: October 15, 2022

You’re all ready to pack a bowl or roll a joint but you don’t have a grinder. No worries! You can still break up your weed without one using things you probably already have lying around the house. Try one of the following alternatives to grind your weed so you can get back to smoking ASAP.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Chopping Weed with Scissors in a Glass

1
Place your marijuana buds into a glass. Fill a clean drinking glass up to half full with weed. You can use either dry or sticky weed. Make sure the weed is loosely packed so you can easily chop it.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If you have a lot of weed, chop it in several batches.
Tip: A shot glass works great for small amounts of weed.
2
Insert a clean pair of scissors into the glass. Use a regular pair of scissors to chop the weed. Wash the scissors with soap and warm water or rinse them with vinegar to clean them. Then, place the scissors down into the weed buds and start cutting.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- If you’re using a shot glass, it’s okay to use a small pair of scissors like nail scissors or mustache scissors.
Advertisement
3
Snip the buds until they’re in small enough pieces. Simply open and close the scissors to chop up the weed. As you chop, rotate the cup to make it easier to cut all of the weed. Keep cutting until the buds are your desired size.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- If necessary, stir the weed with the end of your scissors to expose large pieces that still need to be cut.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Using a Coin and a Pill Bottle

1
Place the marijuana buds into an empty pill bottle. Wash an old pill bottle with soap and water to clean it. Then, fill the container about 3/4 of the way full. Pack the weed loosely so that the coin can break it up.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- This works best with dry weed, but it may grind up sticky weed, as well.
Variation: Any small container with a lid will work. For instance, you can also use a film canister or a small food storage container that’s used for sauces.
2
Drop a clean penny or dime into the bottle. You can use any small coin, but a penny or a dime will work great. Put the coin on the top layer of the weed or push it down into the weed. Since the coin will move around the container as you shake it, you don't need to worry about its placement.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Wash your coin or sanitize it with hand sanitizer, alcohol, or vinegar. This will keep germs from getting on your weed.
3
Screw the lid back on the pill bottle. Put the lid back on the bottle and make sure it’s tight. This will prevent the weed from falling out while you're shaking the container. Don’t try to shake the weed without the lid.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- If the lid presses down over the bottle, simply push it down onto the container.
4
Shake the pill bottle for 1-2 minutes. Set a timer or watch the clock so you can time yourself. Hold the pill bottle in your hand and shake it vigorously. As you shake it, the coin will cut and grind the buds into small pieces.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Use the same motion that you’d use to shake a maraca.
5
Check the weed to see if it’s your desired size. After 1-2 minutes of shaking the pill bottle, open the container and check to see if your weed is small enough to use. If it’s not, put the lid back on and shake the bottle for another 1-2 minutes. Continue shaking it until you're happy with the size of the pieces.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Depending on how thick your weed is, it can take a while to get your desired size. Expect to shake the container for at least 5 minutes.
- This method is safe and grinds effectively, so it’s a great option for every day grinding.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Using a Coffee Grinder

1
Place the weed into a coffee bean grinder. You can use any type of coffee grinder for your weed. Add the weed up to the fill line. Pack it loosely so that it’s easier for the grinder to chop it up. Then, place the lid onto the grinder.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- A coffee grinder is great for when you need to grind up a bunch of weed at once. However, it’s best to use dry weed because sticky weed may be harder to clean up. If you don’t get all of the weed out of the grinder, it can get mixed into your coffee beans.
2
Turn on the coffee grinder for 5 seconds. Plug up the coffee grinder if it uses electricity. Then, press the “on” or “grind” button to turn on the grinder. Count to 5, then turn off the grinder.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- You can also use an analog clock or watch to time the grinder.
3
Keep grinding the weed until it’s your preferred size. Open the grinder and check the weed to see if the pieces are small enough. If they aren't, continue to grind your weed for up to 5 seconds at a time until you're happy with the size of the pieces. Check it frequently so that you don’t accidentally grind it too finely.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Clean your coffee grinder thoroughly after you grind the weed so that your coffee won’t be spiked with THC.
Tip: A coffee grinder is designed to grind coffee into a fine powder. However, weed is hard to use if it's ground down into a powder. Instead, you want your weed to be a little bigger than dried herbs typically are.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Cutting Weed with a Knife

1
Place the marijuana buds on a clean chopping board. It's best to use a plastic chopping board because it'll be easier to clean. Start with a small amount of weed to reduce the risk of cutting yourself. Put the weed in the center of the chopping board so that it doesn’t fall over the side as you chop.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- You can use this method with either dry or sticky weed, though it's best if the weed is dry.
2
Use a clean, non-serrated knife to chop the buds into small pieces. If you have one, use a chef’s grade knife for best results. Hold the knife blade over the weed on 1 end, then slice through it. Lift your blade and move it over about 1 mm, then slice into the weed again. Continue cutting the weed until you reach the other end.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- If you think the pieces are still too large, rotate the cutting board so that you can easily slice the weed in the other direction. Then, make a second pass to chop it into smaller pieces.
- You can technically use any knife to cut up the weed. However, a sharp, non-serrated knife works best, especially for sticky weed.
3
Chop slowly so that you don’t cut yourself. Don’t hold the weed in place with your hand because you could get cut. Instead, place your knife and your hand over the weed and slowly chop. This should help you cut the weed without it moving out of place.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Cut up your weed like you would chop up garlic or herbs.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Grinding Weed with a Mortar and Pestle

1
Make sure your weed is dry before you use a mortar and pestle. Dried weed is easier to grind, especially if you’re using a mortar and pestle. Check that your weed is dry and not sticky before you grind it. If it’s not dry, try placing in the freezer for half an hour before you grind it.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- This method works best for small amounts. Additionally, it’s a traditional way to grind up herbs.
Did You Know? To dry out weed, leave it to sit for 5-15 days in a room that’s 60 to 70 °F (16 to 21 °C) with low humidity and good air circulation. Check the weed daily to see if it feels crispy, which means it’s ready. It’s best not to rush this process by using a dehydrator or oven because it will alter the flavor and potency.^{[16]
X
Research source}
2
Place the weed inside the mortar. The mortar is the bowl that holds your herbs, and you'll rub the pestle into the herbs to grind them up. Fill the mortar about halfway so that there’s room for the weed to shift around. Pack it loosely so that it’s easier to grind.^{[17]
X
Research source}
- It's best to grind just enough for 1 joint at a time. If you're grinding more, grind your weed in smaller batches.
3
Use the pestle to grind the weed into smaller pieces. The pestle is the tool that you use to grind herbs in a mortar. Push the pestle down into the weed and manually grind it. Continuously move the pestle around the bowl, grinding the weed. Stop grinding when you’re happy with the size of your pieces.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- Use a firm pressure as you grind the weed.

Community Q&A

Question

Why would you need to grind weed? Isn't it illegal?

Community Answer

You would need to grind weed to make it easier to put in a bowl or make a joint. This is for medical marijuana. It's a better painkiller than opioids and an absolute must for cancer patients to give them the appetite that chemo takes away.
Question

Can I use an empty tobacco box to grind weed without a grinder?

DYLAN THEIL

Community Answer

You can use anything that can be closed. Make sure nothing can escape. It's suggested to use a pill bottle, since it's a common thing that has a lid and enough room for a coin to shake around.
Question

Why would anybody think medical marijuana is illegal?

Community Answer

Even though it's legal in many states, it's still technically illegal at the federal level. (States can make laws that are stricter than federal law, but not more lenient.)