Character Co. Blog
Rolling Papers
Is there a difference?
Joints have long been a favourite method of cannabis consumption and it’s easy to understand why. Joints are easily shareable, ready to travel, and compact. But before you can smoke a joint, one has to roll it, and every joint begins with a rolling paper.
First manufactured in Spain in the 1700’s, rolling papers have come a long way since then. Upgrades in materials, manufacturing processes, watermarks and presentation have elevated the humble rolling paper to luxurious levels (Shine’s 24 K Gold Leaf Papers anyone?).
Because of this, not all rolling papers are created equal, nor provide the same experience.
Length
Industry sizes for rolling papers are Single Width, 1 1/2, 1 1/4, King size, and King Size Slim. There are other sizes available, such as the Double Wide or 12 Inchers, but those are less popular and much harder to find.
Single Width (SW) – These are your smallest papers, and the size that most people are familiar with if they grew up buying the white Zig-Zags at your local gas station. The single wide rolling paper is 70mm long and 34mm wide (give or take a millimeter depending on the brand). These are perfect when smoking for one.
70mm x 34mm (requires a 70mm long rolling machine, or 79mm adjustable)
1 ½ – These papers got its name because it can hold 50% more than a single wide paper, measuring 78mm in length and 62mm in width. This paper allows for much wider (or ‘fatter’) joints in diameter. If you prefer hauling back for longer hits, this size should do the trick. Good for groups of 3 to 4 people when rolled correctly.
79mm x 62mm (requires a 79mm long rolling machine, or 110mm adjustable)
1 ¼ – You guessed it, the one and a quarter sized papers holds 25% more than the single width. Measuring in at 78mm long and 46mm in width, it is the same length as the 1 ½ paper. The 1 ¼ size is considered the most popular among joint smokers. Once rolled, this size closely resembles the size of your standard cigarette and is perfect for a solo sesh at home with Netflix, or groups of 2-4.
79mm x 46mm (requires a 79mm long rolling machine, or adjustable)
King Size & King Size Slim – The King Size paper is the most standard for size across all brands, measuring 110mm in length. The width will vary from 42mm for the slims and up to 60mm for the regular. Since it’s the longest paper, it’s also the largest (except for novelty sizes) and the best paper for group sessions.
110mm (requires a 110mm long rolling machine)
Materials
Now that you’ve chosen what size you need, you have to decide what kind of material you prefer. Have you ever noticed that some papers are easier to roll with than others? Or that sometimes, your joint stays lit longer than other times? Are you continuously relighting the joint?
Wood Pulp – The original. The classic. The OG.
Wood pulp papers have been around for as long as there have been rolling papers. Thicker than their rice or hemp counterparts, making them the easiest to roll with. These papers are great for beginners just learning to roll.
The cons? Wood pulp papers burn faster than others, can affect the taste of your joint, and are the least environmentally friendly to be manufactured.
Rice – For the Masters.
As the name would imply, these rolling papers are processed from rice and the occasional additive depending on the brand, such as hemp or flax. These papers burn the slowest, which means they have a harder time staying lit.
Rice papers are the thinnest rolling paper available. They are so thin they’re almost see-through, and because of this, harder to roll with. However, they are the cleanest to smoke if you’re looking to get the most flavour out of your cannabis.
Hemp – Something for everyone.
Hemp papers are becoming more and more popular, and for good reason. They are relatively easy to roll with, but still thin enough to avoid any harsh flavors in your joint, and better for the environment. Basically, they fit right in between the wood pulp and the rice papers in every category.
Our Favourite Rolling Papers
Over the years, we’ve tried almost all the rolling papers out there. Each come with their own pros and cons, but we’ve managed to narrow down our favourites listed below:
Irie Rolling Papers – For the budget conscious.
Irie rolling papers are fairly unremarkable, which is a good thing when looking for a budget friendly smoking paper. A box of Irie’s can be found for under $40, and they’re quite generous offering a whopping 64 leaves per pack.
Made from European hemp (but made in China), these papers burn slowly and the glue sticks well provided it’s not too wet when rolled. Made thicker than your usual hemp paper, they provide a certain texture that’s easier to roll. Especially considering the lack of watermarks.
All in all, Irie Rolling Papers are the best bang for your buck.
Juicy Jay Rolling Papers – It’s all about the flavour.
If you’re into spicing up your cannabis, then Juicy Jay’s are by far the go-to for flavoured papers. The hits are smooth, and the flavour is surprisingly mild. In fact, most of the flavour is enjoyed when licking your lips as a residual bonus. The best part is that they also smell good, which really enhances that smoke experience.
The burn isn’t perfect though, and tends to canoe if the glue is too wet, but at least it won’t unravel. The papers themselves are usually printed with whatever flavour icon you chose, and look absolutely adorable. The honeycomb watermark provides a decent burn, and the papers are easy enough to roll with.
Available in pretty much every flavour imaginable.
RAW Organic Hemp Rolling Papers – Best in hemp.
RAW papers are no doubt the current King of rolling papers, producing some of the best quality papers available. In addition to offering top-notch products, RAW also has a foundation that helps support worthwhile causes and projects, helping millions. It’s no wonder RAW has developed such a cult-like following among cannabis lovers worldwide.
Our personal favourite RAW papers is the organic hemp line. These rolling papers are additive free, allowing you to really taste the flower. Complete with RAW’s patented crisscross watermark to ensure an even burn and prevent annoying runs. A little tough to roll with, but the struggle is worth it. RAW Organic Hemp Rolling Papers provide an incredibly smooth smoke with a slow burn so you can sit back and enjoy!
Elements Rolling Papers – Rice is nice.
Elements, as its name implies, is obsessed with earth-friendly materials and green energy in making its papers. It’s not all talk either, even their papers production facility in Spain is entirely wind-powered. Made with sugar gum for its adhesive and rice for the paper itself, these papers are so thin they’re almost translucent. While you’re smoking, the paper produces no flavour and very little ash, which means you can really taste the flower. It’s just a super clean and smooth smoke.
Apart from the paper itself, Elements throws in a few extras outside of that as well. Each pack comes with a magnet, so you don’t have to worry about ruining the next paper in line. They also come with perforated crutches for rolling and “perfect roll technology”, because if we’re being honest, rolling with rice papers can sometimes be tricky. Not for beginners, but worth the effort.
Pure Hemp Unbleached Rolling Papers – Staff pick.
There is no extra fluff with Pure Hemp Unbleached Rolling Papers. No gimmicks or flashy branding. Just a paper that rolls easy, tastes great, and burns smooth.
Like the name states, Pure Hemp is made of 100% natural, unbleached and chlorine free hemp fiber. A little thicker feeling than other hemp papers, so it has a nice grip to it and feels safer to pack a little extra without being more difficult to roll. Finally, the gum is generous making the stick solid. These papers pretty much guarantee a perfect spliff every time, regardless of the consistency of your flower.
Why do we love them so much?
They’re easy to roll, no matter what. Sometimes it’s tricky if your hands are wet, or the flower is too dry, but not with these. They roll anything, and stick really well providing the glue isn’t licked clean off.
(Pro tip: less moisture on sugar-based gum is best)
All About the Taste & No Waste
They also taste like nothing, which is perfect when you really want to taste that top shelf cannabis.
Finally, Pure Hemp Unbleached Rolling Papers burns slowly, consistently, and smoothly. Smoking a joint rolled with Pure Hemp is an all-around enjoyable experience.
