What are Rolling Papers Made Of?

Joint rolling papers are made from thin slow-burning paper typically derived from rice. The paper is made with a minimum of ingredients to ensure its purity and clean burning. Cigarette rolling papers have been around for a long time and were initially made exclusively for tobacco. 

The first rolling paper company dates back to the 1700s in Alcoy, Spain. Originally everyone smoked cigars and pipe tobacco, but those who could not afford to smoke would collect the butts from cigars or loose tobacco and roll it with thin paper to make cigarettes. Eventually, the paper cigarette became popular and rolling papers, and a pouch of tobacco became a common way of smoking.  

Over the next one hundred years, as cannabis smoking became more prevalent globally, someone in Mexico had the genius idea to mix in some cannabis with their rolled cigarette, and suddenly joints were a thing. There is a pharmacist record documenting farm workers using cannabis in their tobacco from 1856.

The paper used to make modern rolling papers is more delicate and of higher quality than papers used by farmers and British soldiers. Current joint paper is made from hemp or finely ground plants and is usually unbleached. 

Hemp Rolling Papers

Rolling papers made from hemp are preferred among many cannabis users for their neutral flavor and similar ingredients to cannabis. Unbleached and all-natural hemp papers are free of toxins, dyes, and nicotine. RAW is probably the most well-known company that makes this kind of natural rolling paper, but others like Zig-zag and Elements make them.

Flax Rolling Papers

Flax papers are more durable and are suitable for rolling larger king-sized joints. Flax is slower burning than hemp and is flavorless and odorless, so you only get the flavor from the contents of the joint. If you are concerned about the strong odor of joints then flax rolling papers will cut down on the smell some, but it’s your weed that will cause most of the odor.

Rice Rolling Papers

One of the most common types of rolling paper is white rice paper. These rolling papers are known for being the thinnest and easiest to roll and extremely slow-burning. Rice papers are good for rolling a joint you plan on passing around. Rice papers are available from many brands we carry, like Vibes and Elements.

Flavored Rolling Papers

Papers with fun designs and exciting flavors are popular among some avid joint smokers. These papers have a flavor that you can taste when you inhale the joint and can complement the cannabis taste or distract from it depending on the flavor. The most popular flavors we sell are peach and watermelon. Juicy makes the best flavored rolling papers.

Pre-Rolled Cones

There are pre-rolled joint papers called cones for those who don't know how to roll a joint. Cones are perfect for quickly loading and smoking a big joint. Pre-rolled joint cones are usually king-sized but can also be found in the standard size. We recommend the large quantity boxes from Banana Bros. and Revolver. 

Joint Filters and Tips

Joint filters are glass filter tips that prevent ash and debris from entering your mouth when you inhale. Glass tips are for larger joints and ideal for blunts, while paper filters are for normal joints. Paper tips come in flat books of thicker paper that you can roll up into a cylinder or you can get a box of pre-rolled paper filters that are the perfect size for the end of a joint. RAW makes excellent rolled filter tips that are easy to add to your joints.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rolling Papers

What is the difference between blunt wraps and rolling papers?

Rolling papers are thin paper like the paper around a cigarette. Blunt wraps are thicker, often contain nicotine, and are made from tobacco leaves.

Which rolling papers are the healthiest?

To be fair, smoking anything isn't great for your health. But if you want to minimize the negative aspects of combustion smoking, then using all-natural unbleached hemp rolling papers is the best way to go.

Which rolling papers are the easiest to roll?

The RAW Connoisseur Classics that come with filter papers are a solid choice for easy to roll joints. The filter paper is thicker and rolls up easily into a paper filter for one side of the joint. The shorter papers are easier to roll than king-sized joints.

Buy Rolling Papers Online With 420 Science

If you are looking for the best rolling papers in the ocean of choices out there, we have curated a selection of the most outstanding rolling papers made by reputable brands. Try out a few new types of rolling papers today, or read more about rolling joints.