Preroll

Preroll is a term with multiple meanings in modern commerce, most commonly referring to a pre-rolled cannabis cigarette or a video advertisement that plays before the main content.

In cannabis products, a preroll is a single-serve joint or blunt that is already rolled and packaged for sale. They are typically made from ground cannabis flower, sometimes with added concentrates or kief, and use standard rolling papers or hemp papers with a filter. They are sold individually or in packs and carry labeling about strain, weight, and cannabinoid content. Regulators in many jurisdictions require licensing, child-resistant packaging, and testing for pesticides and contaminants. Consumers should review potency, expiry dates, and storage conditions.

In digital advertising, a preroll is an advertisement that plays immediately before a user-selected video. Prerolls are usually short, often 15 to 30 seconds, and may be skippable after a few seconds or non-skippable. They enable targeting by demographics, interests, and context, and are measured by metrics such as impressions, views, and completion rates. Platforms govern delivery, duration, and age-appropriate restrictions. Advertisers weigh reach against user experience and may use frequency capping and various measurement tools.

The term derives from the combination of pre- and roll, reflecting two distinct uses: a pre-rolled cannabis product and a pre-scripted ad insert in video delivery. Both senses share the idea of something that comes before a primary offering.