The Raw World Rolling Competition has become a thrilling event that captures the imagination of rolling enthusiasts since its inception in 2021. Talented contestants from all over the country showcase their unique skills by crafting smokable art pieces in the shape of popular pop culture characters, geometric designs, and even wild animals. Among these gifted rollers, Bryan “Roll BJT” Tomon stands out as a true luminary. In 2021, he won the hearts of fans with his rendition of the iconic Mystery Machine from Scooby-Doo, and in 2023, he once again claimed the coveted first place spot with an impressive 22-lbs. sea turtle. I had the opportunity to catch up with Tomon and discuss his latest artistic cannabis journey.
Tomon shares that he has always been pretty good at rolling joints and blunts, but it wasn’t until his friends saw a creative roll on Instagram and asked him to try that he discovered his true talent. He admits that his first attempt at a shark was a failure, but the next day, he successfully created a gingerbread man. From there, he was hooked. Tomon’s rise to the top of the competitive creative-rolling world was swift, having only started the craft in early 2021. He competed at the World Rolling Championships in April of that year, just three months after starting.
At 23, Tomon felt pressure to catch up to his peers, some of whom had been smoking and rolling for decades. To get ahead, he dedicated himself to daily challenges, creating new and unique rolls. “I was doing one every day for months. I was just doing them for fun; it allowed me to catch up in terms of experience because I was doing different shapes every day,” he says. “Creative rolling is all about learning how to roll different shapes and figuring out how to combine them in different ways. I’d roll some pieces one day and then the next day, I’d wake up and start a new piece. I’d reuse the same weed so I could practice, but occasionally, I’d smoke one. It’s a lot of trial and error and wasting a lot of weight.”
One of the biggest challenges for Tomon was ensuring proper airflow within his elaborate yet delicate creations. He had to find the balance between form and function, similar to how a chef creates a dish that is both visually appealing and delicious. “The way I see creative rolling is like a chef making a meal; we’re making consumable art,” he explains. “It’s not meant to be kept forever. You’re not going to go to a five-star restaurant, buy a meal, and then just leave it in your fridge. It’s meant to be eaten. And my rolls are meant to be smoked. At the end of the day, it’s art, but it’s also meant to be enjoyed.”