Rolling a joint is more than a way of enjoying cannabis – it can be both a science and an art form! A lot goes into the rolling papers you’ll find on store shelves – here’s what you need to know when choosing the one that’s right for you!
What Materials Make Up Rolling Papers?
Rolling papers come in several material options, each with benefits and drawbacks:
- Wood pulp: Papers made from wood pulp papers are the traditional option, and for a good reason: they’re easy to roll while being very sturdy. Perfect for beginners looking to make a quick joint, they burn fast and hot. You may end up with a joint that smokes too quickly or unevenly – in industry parlance, the joint canoes, meaning only one side burns.
- Hemp: Hemp rolling papers are thin, sturdy, and easier to roll than most plant fibres. They also have a mild flavour that won’t disrupt the taste of your favourite weed. They aren’t as sturdy as wood pulp, though, so beginners might find rolling tricky; however, because the plant is sustainable, you’re making the best choice for the environment!
- Rice: A bit less common than wood pulp and hemp, many enthusiasts choose these papers because they are super thin. Rolling a joint can be tricky, as rice papers are slippery, but they burn slow for a rewarding experience.
- Flax: Flax is a fan favourite – these papers have less combustion, meaning you’ll taste much less smoke and more of your incredible bud. Much like the rice variety, flax papers are thin, but they’re easy to roll!
Sometimes, the best choice is a combination of the fibres above! The famous Zig-Zag white papers blend wood pulp with other natural plant fibres, including flax. They are famous for easy rolling and the slow, even burn (not to mention an homage on a certain Dr. Dre album).
What Holds A Joint Together?
Your joint has to stick together, and for this, most rolling papers have built-in adhesives. The traditional option is gum arabic or sugar gum. It’s a natural gum sourced from the Acacia tree, and it is 100% nontoxic. It’s the same sticky stuff you’ll find on stamps and envelopes!
Some cheap options can hide a lot of chemicals in the adhesives, so if you’re unsure, do some homework. If the packaging or website doesn’t have its glue ingredients listed, it’s best to choose one that does offer this information.
Does Bleach Affect The Experience?
White rolling papers have a reputation among stoners who want to keep their chronic as natural as possible. The possibility of chemicals leads many to choose unbleached options. The claims aren’t entirely correct, though, and while rumours swirl about white papers using household bleach, it’s simply not the case. The biggest difference between the two is the colour!
The term “bleached” is often a misnomer, as most companies do not use bleach or chlorine to whiten the papers. Many manufacturers of white papers use an oxygenation process that does not leave any chemical residue on the product. Unbleached means the company skips the oxygenation step, giving their papers the look of natural fibres.
Bottom line: if someone offers you a joint made with white paper, don’t be afraid!
Original Vs. Flavoured
Some smokers appreciate the option of adding a little variety to their joint routine and choose flavoured rolling papers. One of the leaders in this department is the company Juicy Jay, and what started with menthol quickly moved into other flavours like strawberry. Now, the selection includes almost anything you could imagine, all using the materials of an ordinary rolling paper: fruits like green apple and mango, liquors like rum and tequila, and even cookie dough and bacon.
There are many positives to using flavoured rolling papers, especially if you’re sitting on a large stash of one bud and want to add some spice. Most companies use natural flavouring agents and only place them on the adhesive line, limiting the amount that comes into contact with your mouth and stopping the taste from overwhelming the weed.
However, dried cannabis on the market comes from plants with unique taste profiles. Many purists feel that flavoured rolling papers get in the way of enjoying the natural terpenes and flavours of good bud, and this is true in a way. It all comes down to personal preference!
What About Pre-Rolled Joints?
If you find rolling and packing a joint to be a bit of a chore – or you can’t seem to get the hang of it – you’ll find many strains come in pre-rolled joints. While the ease of use may turn some old-school rollers off, the simple convenience of a pre-roll is a big plus for users who want to try a strain before committing.
All you have to do is light up – perfect for when you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to roll one before heading out to a gathering. Most companies use a system to ensure the consistency of their pre-rolls, meaning you can expect well-packed joints in every pack.
If you have enough dried bud, you’ll find many companies that offer pre-rolled papers. Just grind, pack, and close off – no rolling or licking required!
