Of all the different ways to consume weed, smoking is the most popular, and of all the different ways to smoke it, joints and spliffs are the most quintessential. It’s easy to see why, as they’re easy to access, easy to transport, and because they look like cigarettes, they’re pretty easy to conceal (well, except for the smell. Plus, smoking a joint or a spliff is just enjoyable.
With all of that said, to maximize the joy that smoking a joint or a spliff can bring, a good rolling paper makes all the difference in the world. A high-quality paper will have a direct impact on how well weed can be rolled up, as well as how easy it is to smoke.
There’s no shortage of rolling papers to choose from; just head to a head shop or even your corner gas station and there’s no doubt that you’ll find several options to choose from. While choice is certainly a good thing, with so many varieties, trying to decide which rolling papers to choose can seem like an overwhelming and daunting task.
To make the process of selecting and using the right rolling papers for you a bit easier, keep on reading. Below, you’ll find pertinent information related to rolling papers, including the different types, the sizes, and the brands.
>If your a grower or processor and looking specifically for bulk joint rolling solutions, or more accurately, bulk cone filling solutions then check out our bulk cone filling machines guide.
Types of rolling papers
As mentioned, there are several different types of rolling papers on the market. Each type has its own unique qualities and features. Understanding the traits of different rolling papers is important, as it will allow you to select the best option for you.
The best rolling papers for a novice may be quite different for experienced rollers and ‘tokers. It’s common for smokers to start out with thicker, more durable papers, and as they gain more experience, to switch over to thinner, more delicate papers.
So, what are the different types of rolling papers? Here’s a look at some of the most popular varieties.
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Natural hemp
If you’re new to rolling joints or spliffs, natural hemp rolling paper is a great choice. It is actually this authors preferred rolling paper because of it’s eco-friendliness and clean flavorless burn. Hemp is derived from the cannabis plant, so hemp rolling papers and weed just go hand-in-hand, as you’re pretty much just wrapping your marijuana in marijuana.
Hemp is extremely durable, and rolling papers that are made of this material are super-sturdy and do a very good job of holding their shape and form. These papers can be folded and rolled with ease without having to worry about accidentally tearing them, which is a major plus for beginners, because even if you’re clunky and aren’t well-versed in the process, you’ll find that working with hemp papers a lot easier.
In addition to their durability, hemp papers also have a subtle flavor, so you won’t have to worry that they’ll negatively impact the taste of your weed. Plus, hemp is super environmentally friendly, which is definitely a plus.
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- CONVENIENT BULK PACK OF PREROLL CONES: Stock up and save with our value pack of 50 Zig Zag rolling papers. These pre-rolled cones are ready to use straight out of the...
Wood pulp
For intermediate rollers – those who have more experience with rolling, but haven’t yet honed their skills to be considered an expert – wood pulp rolling papers are a great choice. In fact, wood pulp papers are actually one of the most commonly used and widely available types of rolling papers; they’re pretty much the standard of rolling papers.
Wood pulp is most common in pre-made cones, because it has a more rigid structure which lends itself nicely to cone packing vs rolling from scratch.
Since wood pulp papers are so widely available, they’re very easy to access; in fact, it’s pretty much a guarantee that you’ll find them at your local dispensary, head shop, or even your corner gas station. Not only are they easily accessible, but wood pulp papers are also affordable. They’re easy to work with, too. Papers that are made of wood pulp are very similar to the papers that are used to roll tobacco into cigarettes.
Despite the many benefits, however, there are some things that are considered downsides. Namely, some types of wood pulp rolling papers have a tendency to burn fast, which can cause running or make you lose your cherry.
Plus, lower quality wood pulp papers are often bleached or treated with other types of chemicals, and when you smoke them, you’ll consume those additives. To avoid issues, if you’re planning on using wood pulp rolling papers, make sure that you choose a trusted, highly rated brand.
- Elements 1.25 1 1/4 Size Ultra Thin Rice With Magnetic Closure
- 10 Packs - 50 Leaves Per Pack = 500 Leaves
Rice papers
Advanced, highly skilled rollers often opt for rice papers. They’re super thin; in fact, they’re so thin that it’s almost as if there’s nothing there! Due to their thinness, when you take a hit off your joint or spliff, pretty much all of the smoke that you’ll inhale will be from the weed itself; the amount of burned paper you’ll inhale will be minimal. This not only translates to smoother hits, but better tasting hits, too.
Despite the benefits that are associated with the thinness if rice papers, there are some downsides. Namely, because they are so thin, they’re super-delicate, which can make it very challenging for even advanced rollers to work with and can be more prone to runs.
There are companies out there producing thin rice papers with technology that prevents runs like Elements which we highly recommend checking out if you’re a regular joint smoker.
Other types of rolling papers
In addition to the three aforementioned types of rolling papers, there are several other varieties available, too. Some are made of a combination of materials, like hemp and rice, or wood pulp and hemp. There are different colors and patterns, as well as different flavors, too. You can find completely unprocessed, organic papers, as well, which complete eliminates the risk of inhaling dangerous substances, as they aren’t treated with harsh chemicals or additives.
Gold rolling papers
While this author has never had the money or friends with money to smoke gold, Shine Rolling Papers is nonetheless blowing up the recreational cannabis space with their gold rolling solutions, including cones, blunt wraps, and rolling papers. These are gold leaf layered hemp paper rolls are admittedly gorgeous, and yes, they’re perfectly safe too as the gold doesn’t smoke (it is metal after all resulting in some pretty gold ash) and hemp paper is one of the cleanest safest papers there are for rolling weed.
Common Rolling Paper Sizes
Not only are rolling papers made of different materials, but they are also made in different sizes. An overview of some of the most popular sizes includes:
- Single wide. Typically, single wide papers are 68 to 70mm long and 34 to 36 mm wide, or about 2.75 x 1.4 inches, which is roughly equivalent to the size of a cigarette.
- 1 ¼. Papers of this size can hold about 25 percent more than a single-wide paper; hence why they’ve been dubbed “1 1/4”. They’re roughly 76 to 78 mm long and 45 to 48 mm wide, or 3.1 x 1.8 inches. Sometimes referred to as “French size” or “Spanish size” papers, they’re the most popular size.
- Double wide. Rolling papers of this size can hold around double the amount of weed that a single wide can. They measure 76 to 78 mm long and 63 to 88 mm wide, or 3.1 x 2.5 – 3.5 inches.
^If you plan on using a rolling machine like Raw’s roller it’s smartest to buy your roller first and then buy matching papers after as the dimensions of your rolling machine will dictate the size of papers you are able to use, so think long and hard when buying the roller first.
- Made with hemp plastic
- 110mm - King size
Who Makes the Best Rolling Papers?
It really comes down to your particular needs, ability, and interests. The best way to decide which option is right for you is by giving different types of rolling papers a try until you find what works best for you.
If you’re not sure and don’t want to spend/take the time to sample each material yourself we recommend chit chatting with your local dispensary and/or head shop. These people working there usually have depths of experience and if not, interact with regular smokers on the daily so they can at least tell you what are the best sellers, which can help inform your decision.
This author is a big fan of the OCB hemp papers. Not because I’ve tried every paper on earth and landed on that one but I’m not a fan of flavors, I smoke loud ass weed and I want to taste my terpenes (1/4th Tropicana Cookies on the regular)so I default to the OCB hemps because they are strong, seal well, and impart no flavor on my flower. That’s all I want so I’m happy to recommend them.
That said I’ve definitely smoked plenty of joints rolled with other papers, and as long as I get high it’s a good day, so keep an open mind and experiment for yourself until you find the rolling paper brand of your preference.
Common Rolling Paper Questions Answered:
Is it illegal to buy rolling papers?
No, because if anyone asks it’s for rolling tobacco. Once you get to the privacy of your own home you can roll whatever you want in there and nobody knows.
What drug is rolling papers?
No drugs, rolling papers are just paper which holds the drugs in a convenient smokable form.
What are the easiest papers to roll?
Big ones, the bigger the better. The actual material itself doesn’t make much difference as most rolling papers are super thin.
Which rolling papers are the healthiest?
Nothing that is burned and inhaled is healthy. That said, the LEAST unhealthy option will be papers of natural organic sources free of any chemical bleaching or artificial glues. OCB organic hemp papers are a great safe option.
Are RAW rolling papers good?
Yes, the brand is so famous for a reason and that’s because they make a great selection of rolling papers, trays, and rolling machines, often with one eco-friendly component or another which deserves respect.
What are the top 10 rolling papers?
Raw, OCB, Zig-Zag, Juicy Jays, Pure Hemp, Elements, Big Bambu, Rizla, Bugler, & Blazy Susan are the most popular rolling paper brands of today.
Last update on 2024-12-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
