There are numerous methods to consume cannabis, but nothing beats a good joint, and rolling the perfect joint is an art form. It can be tricky to learn at first, but the added “work” makes smoking them that enjoyable.

Rolling papers were invented roughly 500 years ago. The first rolling paper mills were established in the 15th century in Spain; these rolling sheets have come a long way since then. Nowadays, stoners have a wide range of rolling paper options, each with its size, material, flavor, and other characteristics.

It all starts with your preferred strain and the ideal rolling paper. While you’ve undoubtedly got the cannabis covered, deciding on a rolling paper among the numerous options can be overwhelming. Picking the correct paper is the first step to uncovering your joint-rolling prowess.

You may not realize it, but the quality of your rolling paper is an essential variable when it comes to the taste of your herb. Even if you’re using top-shelf cannabis and the best lighting equipment, such as a hemp wick, a low-quality rolling paper can ruin the experience.

You can find the perfect rolling paper for you by keeping a few things in mind. This includes the type of paper and what kind of glue is being used. You don’t want to be tasting harsh bleach or glue chemicals, and with so many manufacturers offering organic solutions, you don’t have to.

In this era of high-tech smoking and pre-rolled joints, rolling your own joint adds something unique to the experience. It may be antiquated, but it is all about the ritual: grinding the nugs, rolling them up, and lighting them up! It is both fulfilling and inexpensive. After this, the last thing you want is the pure taste of your cannabis ruined by a low-quality rolling paper

What are rolling papers made of?

Plant fibers such as hemp, rice, flax, and wood pulp are the primary materials used in modern-day rolling papers. What difference does it make, you might ask? A significant difference! The taste, burn speed, and ease of rolling are all affected by the paper’s material. Let’s take a quick look at each material to help you understand.

Hemp

Hemp rolling papers have been top-rated among stoners for the past 20 years. This is due to a variety of factors. They’re simple to roll due to their durable medium thickness, and once lit, they burn at a consistent rate. They also have a mild flavor that is barely noticeable when smoking your good stuff. Most importantly, they are environmentally friendly and all-natural, leading to healthier smoke and happier lungs.

Rice

Rice is pressed to make rice rolling papers. They are the thinnest of all the rolling papers. Because they are so thin, they produce a flavorless smoke and burn the slowest of all rolling paper materials. This thinness also leads to increased difficulty when rolling. Rice papers are also regarded as the healthiest and most environmentally friendly option. Elements ultra-thin rice rolling papers are among the oldest and best options for rice rolling papers on the market.

Flax

You’ve probably heard that flax seeds are a nutritious food, but they are also helpful in manufacturing rolling papers. Although they are not as popular as they were in the twentieth century, they are still an environmentally responsible option that is easy to roll and leaves a slight aftertaste.

Wood Pulp

Wood pulp was one of the first materials used to make rolling papers. They are thicker than conventional papers, making the rolling process more accessible. The thickness provides excellent grip even when it’s damp or rainy outside. They are known to stay consistently lit but burn very fast. These papers can sometimes be bleached to achieve a lighter color, adding a harsh taste. Wood Pulp is the least renewable material on this list and is considered the least healthy.

Clear Rolling Papers

Isn’t it cool to be able to view your weed while you’re smoking it? The transparent rolling paper makes this possible. They are made of glycerin, water, and a form of cellulose called cellophane. These papers are fragile and provide a tight pull that suctions the paper around your cannabis as you inhale. They do not require glue as the rolling paper adheres to itself. Furthermore, they burn slowly and provide little to no added taste.

RAW Papers

RAW rolling papers are widely recognized as among the best weed rolling papers available. Ask any toker to identify rolling paper companies, and we’ll guarantee at least half of them would say “RAW” immediately. RAW offers a variety of rolling papers, but the traditional unpolished 1 ¼ ones have played a significant role in molding the rolling paper world over the past two decades. The RAW brand has established itself as a substantial part of the cannabis community, with every smoker expecting to see it when they walk into a smoke shop. RAW papers are created from all-natural hemp and use a pure organic Acacia gum

RAW Papers is a health-conscious innovator that aims to provide the best rolling papers using renewable methods. RAW joint papers are as natural as they come, unlike bleached wood pulp. RAW’s unique crisscross watermark design makes the hemp paper burn smoothly, slowly, and evenly. RAW’s rolling papers will suffice if you’re looking for something natural, traditional, and dependable – they’re among the best money can buy.

Shine 24K Rolling Papers

Shine is another exquisite smoking option. After being inspired by the London Cut Gold Cigar, shine created the first 24K rolling paper. The papers come in gold or silver and are packaged in a simple box.

The edible 24K gold used in the gold rolling papers is handcrafted. Thanks to the hemp base and edible gold finish, they are safe to smoke and enjoy. Specks of gold can even be found in the ash from a 24K joint.

These are a terrific alternative for a birthday or holiday, or even simply a personal pick-me-up, albeit they are on the pricey side for obvious reasons. Shine can provide a cone to mark the event for anyone wishing to spend a night in style.

Pure Hemp Rolling Papers

Pure hemp has been promoting the use of tree-free rolling paper alternatives for 25+ years. Pure Hemp is an eco-friendly, 100% hemp paper made in Barcelona, Spain, by the paper company Miquel & Costa & Miquel.

They offer a slow burn with little ash and papers with a natural color rather than a bleached appearance. Pure hemp’s website goes into great length on the manufacturing process for their rolling papers, from the origin of the hemp to the company’s history.

Elements Rolling Papers

Elements rolling papers is well-known for their ultra-thin rice papers. They are made in the birthplace of rolling papers, Alcoy, Spain, using wind power.

Their specialization in creating ultra-thin papers has provided many smokers with a smooth and slow-burning smoke that leaves almost no ash! The use of rice being pressed to extreme thinness means little to no taste alteration. Every sheet of Elements Rolling Paper has a proprietary crisscross pattern which ensures an even burn with no runs.

A unique aspect about Elements Rolling Papers is that instead of having a fold down the middle, they have researched something they call the “Perfect Fold.” This fold is slightly to one side, leading to a smoother rolling process. Another innovation by Elements is that their booklets close magnetically. Most booklets have a janky design that doesn’t fully close, leading to a bunch of wrinkled papers, so this is a nice touch by Elements.

Zig-Zag

Zig Zag is one of the first rolling paper brands, having been around since 1879. Many adore their original French Orange joint paper (which is actually white) for its seamless roll and a bit of nostalgia.

These papers have been a staple in the roll-your-own tobacco community for 140 years. In recent decades Zig-Zag has released numerous rolling paper designs for all kinds of cannabis users. Ranging from their original wood pulp and flax papers to organic hemp papers, ultra-thin papers, unbleached papers, and more.

Juicy Jay’s

Juicy Jay’s flavored joint papers are a unique way for smokers to spice up their routine. Made in Spain, they are one of the only rolling paper brands specializing in flavored papers. With a catalog of 70+ flavors, they have something for everyone. They range from flavor types such as candy, fruit, menthol, and even liquor. Not only a plethora of flavors but also sizes such as 1 ¼, king size, king size slim, and single wide.

The founder of Juicy Jay’s is none other than Josh Kesselman, the founder of RAW papers, which is why all their sheets are made of hemp. Every paper has a design representing the flavor; this design is made using soy ink.

Blazy Susan

Blazy Susan stands out from the rest of the crowd for one main reason; they are the only brand that creates pink rolling papers! They are made in France using wood pulp and provide a steady burn with no aftertaste. The papers are durable, making rolling more manageable and helping prevent tears. They offer the industry-standard size of 1 ¼ and king size. Whether you are looking to RYO, fill a cone, or just grab some cute pink tips, Blazy Susan has got you covered.

Vibes Rolling Papers

Vibes is a new rolling papers brand that has quickly made waves in the industry. Offering multiple types of rolling papers, each with its unique set of advantages. The Vibes brand has got it all, whether you’re looking for hemp, ultra-thin, or rice papers. Vibes papers are among the best for specialists, which is understandable given that they were developed in partnership with cannabis enthusiast and rapper Berner. So, if you’ve ever wondered what the legendary pot smoker rolls up with, now you know. Berner uses Vibes.

OCB Premium Rolling Papers

The OCB paper brand has been offering premium quality rolling papers since 1918. Their signature hologram booklets make them easily identifiable as a high-quality rolling paper brand. They are committed to providing thin rolling papers that are easy to roll and burn evenly. They are so thin they are nearly transparent.

OCB offers a variety of lines that use different types of materials for their paper. You can choose from rolling papers made of 100% wood, flax, bamboo, rice, organic hemp or even papers that use a mixture. For their gum line, they use natural acacia gum.

Bambu

Bambu’s iconic packaging will be familiar to seasoned smokers. Being one of the 1,000 oldest enterprises globally, Bambu embraces its classic look and feel. With a rich history to reassure any smoker, they’ve been trusted to make high-quality paper since 1764, when they started creating Bible paper.

Bambu papers are one of the original brands that started using a natural gum sealer from the African Acacia tree. They offer their Bambu classics made of wood pulp and Bambu Naturals which are unbleached. For hemp lovers, you’ll be happy to hear that Bambu also provides a line of organic hemp rolling papers!