Rolling
For some rolling a joint is as meditative and ceremonial as a Japanese Tea service. For others it is tradition. And for others still it’s an affordable method of smoking cannabis. Whatever the reason behind choosing a joint for smoking, the paper used is no simple choice in today’s market of plenty. What should the paper be made out of? Are chemicals involved? What company is best in quality or price? Here’s a briefer for making an educated decision; because, the porous nature of the paper chosen (ventilation) and any chemicals/substances added to the paper will affect your smoking session in terms of taste, quality, and duration.
Types
White: Paper isn’t always pristine white. That blank slate can require chlorine or calcium carbonate as examples. As odd as that might seem, the presence of chemicals can slow down the burn rate while stabilizing the paper, burn, and ash. This of course comes at the cost of an added taste. Always check what’s in your paper.
Color and Flavored: No tree, cannabis plant, flax, or rice grows purple or tasting of grape. If it’s in your paper, it’s in your lungs. Something was used to treat the paper. There’s no way around that. Confirm edible dyes and botanical terpenes were used, because it’s not a given.
Wood: Wood is popular for the reason of ease. The texture of the paper is easy to grip and prone to keeping its shape. Shaky hands and humidity won’t destroy the paper. The burn rate is medium, but the main cons are deforestation and the taste of burning wood pulp.
Rice: Rice paper is made, ideally, 100% from pressed rice. Remarkably thin (slow burn) or thick (faster burn), the paper is not easy to handle. The smoothness makes gripping difficult, and moisture is your nemesis. On the plus side, it offers a nearly tasteless burn.
Flax: Silky and soft, flax is a nice alternative to rice with the same pros. It’s also easy to roll.
Hemp: Thicker and rougher, they offer a nice replacement for wood paper while being better for the environment like rice and flax. On the downside, the paper does draw in and then release moisture. The burn rate is medium, and the paper stays lit better than rice. The paper does come with a slight cannabis aftertaste taste, however.
Companies
Rizla
- No chlorine
- Good smoke
- Medium thickness
- Small traces of ash
- Licorice flavored
- Arabic gum
Raw
- Patented criss-cross watermark ensures low risk of runs and even burning speed.
- Low refinement
- All natural feel and taste
- Non-chlorine paper
- Ultra-thin
- Slow burn with minimal ash
- There have been user complaints over the glue not adhering.
Juicy Jay
- Fully and evenly flavored paper
- Flavor burst with your weed
- Comes in 32 flavors
- Flavor clearly marked
- Environmentally friendly
- Triple dipped flavoring to increase smoothness of smoke and shelf longevity of taste.
- Only natural ingredients such as hemp, sugar gum, and soy ink.
Shine 24k Gold
- Food grade gold leaf
- Very luxurious
- Hemp based blend with gold coat
- Slower burn than many
- No chlorine used
- Gold coating can peel off if not careful
Aleda
- Thin, transparent paper from Brazil
- Made from 100% cellulose
- All ingredients are food grade
- Zero taste
- No gum needed
- Some users complain that they are hot to handle
Benji
- Looks like a $100 US bill
- Great quality paper
- Organic
- Novelty item
- Slow burn
- More expensive
Smoking
- Environmentally safe
- Different sizes
- Have improved over time
- Priced higher
Big Bambu
- Started in Spain in 1764
- African acacia tree gum sealer
- No additives
- Consistently improving
Cyclone Clear Cones
- Transparent
- Blueberry or cherry flavored
- Slow burn
- Lack firmness for some
Bob Marley
- Slow burn
- Easy to use
- Good packaging
- Moisture breaks down the glue
Bugler
- Thin and convenient to use
- In the top 3 manufacturers of rolling paper in the USA
- Gained popularity in jails
Elements
- 100% natural materials (rice and sugar)
- No ash
- Caramel is created during the burn
Zig Zag
- Products since 1879
- Flax fibers
- Ultra-thin
- Good for new rollers
- Low on flavor
- No chlorine used
- The gum has been missing from some papers
Oder Cascadet Bollor’e (OCB)
- Began in 1822
- By 1950, more than 135 billion cigarettes rolled worldwide.
- Chlorine free
- Very slow burn
- Quality assurance
High Hemp
- A green choice
- First naturally green paper on the market.
- 100% organic hemp
- Flash dehydration used to preserve chlorophyll color
- Slow burn
- Taste of herb preserved, but not all users like the taste of hemp
Randy’s Paper
- Paper includes a wire handle to prevent finger burns
- Wire is non-toxic stainless steel
- Easy to roll due to wire
- Not all user like the handle
Blazy Susan
- Pink
- Non-GMO
- Travel tube included
- Vegan
- Expensive
Pure Hemp
- 100% natural
- Acacia gum used to increase ease of smoking
- Acacia flavor in paper is not liked by all
Whiz Khalifa
- Great value
- High quality
- Holds up to travelling
