He works discreetly, especially during concerts, but almost always full time, whenever the musician needs him. This professional is in charge of rolling joints for the whole band, and can earn up to 400 euros weekly, with travel and accommodation expenses covered. His craft requires great sensitivity and dedication, which is why some celebrities pay a pretty penny for his services.
On stage a music group gives every song their all. In front of them, the fans are swept away by the melody, the adrenalin, the sound, and the night. Whenever the instruments fall silent and only the sound of the cheering fans can be heard, somebody approaches the musicians to hand them what seems to be a joint. The music sounds again, and the same person hurries to roll new ones: each the same, quickly, as if his life depended on it. And for good reason: this is his only job.
Now, in addition to the vocalists, bassists, guitarists and drummers, and the sound and light technicians, the expert joint roller is another important music professional, called upon to allow the whole group to enjoy what they're doing. In this way everyone is able to focus on their tasks and not waste one minute of their time. These people particularly support stars that give everything for their fans and barely have time for anything between rehearsal and rehearsal, between chord and chord, but are not at all about to give up their smoking.
During shows he tries not to distract them too much and to work subtly, almost hidden, as if nobody were to see him. Those in the front row, however, are almost sure to notice his behind-the-scenes presence and his work.
In spite of that discretion, he can earn around 500 dollars weekly (about 400 euros) and enjoy nice rooms at the hotels where the band stays, along with free travel and concerts. Although he makes just a fraction of what the musicians do, the experts agree that his trade is well- paid.
It seems that this job sparks real passion. Last year the American rapper Waka Flocka Flame announced his intention to hire a professional blunt roller for his concerts and his day-to-day life. In September he made it official on Instagram, offering an annual salary of 50,000 dollars (about 43,900 euros), along with free travel and all the marijuana one can smoke, along with the rest of the team.
The offer was truly enticing, representing double the average annual salary in the United States, so it should come as no surprise that the singer has received more than 43,400 replies on Instagram alone. Not a day had passed since the announcement and he had already found (apparently) the right man for the job: Seth Rogen, a comedian and actor with experience, who wrote to the rapper via Twitter expressing great interest in the job.
Flocka Flame's manager, however, made it clear from the start that if Rogen, although a grass fan, did not meet his responsibilities each day, he would be replaced without hesitation by a roller better than him. A few days later, images surfaced featuring the music star with the comedian and his new joint roller during his first day at work.
It seems that their relationship did not work out, partly because Rogen was too busy to completely focus on his complicated and unique task, which calls for care and dedication (especially when the professional in question is going to earn so much money).
Flocka Flame, of course, has not given up, and is still seeking a better applicant–someone who can become a friend and form part of his "family," he says. He has already received over 60,000 messages from people ready to drop everything and take the job. CVs have been sent by cannabis lovers determined to becoming his (rolling) right hand man. The decision is a tough one.
Other groups, like California's Cypress Hill, a hip-hop band, also rely on professionals of this type, who have become indispensable to them. The Afro-American rapper Rick Ross also announced some months ago that he had hired someone specifically for this task; in this case, a woman, the manager of a dispensary, which she ran "perfectly," in such a way that the singer, impressed by her abilities, could not help but hire her.
While these kinds of job offers hardly make a dent in the unemployment rate, there is no doubt that the cannabis industry is generating new jobs that can really turn things around for those who land them. It's not only about doing the job, but enjoying it too.