By Steven Voser

A good rolling paper can improve the quality of your joint and your overall smoking experience. However, no fine paper can substitute the skill required for a well-rolled joint, and learning how to craft impeccable roll-ups can take years. Despite the recent vaporizer boom, smoking cannabis in joints is still the most common way to benefit from cannabinoids together with all the aromas this plant offers us.

Traditional rolling papers are made from wood pulp, which has pros and cons when it comes to smoking. In the last 20 years, more and more cannabis-focussed, health-conscious papers have entered the market, with rice, hemp, and even transparent cellulose rolling papers produced to satisfy the demands of a more conscious public. Each kind of rolling paper has its own unique characteristics that appeal to different kinds of smokers. For example, taste, thickness, and burning speed of the paper are various features that come down largely to personal taste. To help you make an informed decision when buying your next pack of papers, here is a list of the most common materials and their characteristics.



Common Characteristics of Rolling Papers

If you've ever stepped into a smoke store, you'll know that there are hundreds (if not thousands) of rolling papers on the market, and they all claim to offer something unique. And while they might all look similar, rolling papers can vary quite significantly. Some notable characteristics that might impact your buying decision when it comes to choosing a rolling paper include size, flavor, style/form, and color/design.

  • Size

Rolling papers typically come in the following pre-cut sizes:

Paper Size
  • Flavor

From fresh menthol to dark chocolate, rolling papers come in many flavors, including:

  • Mint or menthol
  • Green apple
  • Watermelon
  • Banana
  • Cherry
  • Berry (strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry)

Of course, many rolling papers do not come with any added flavor, other than that of the paper itself.

  • Style

Rolling a smoke can be tricky, and it takes time and patience to learn. If you haven't yet gotten your rolling down pat, or you prefer to leave it up to the experts, pre-rolled cones or wraps are a great choice. Simply pack them with your favorite herb, twist the tip, and enjoy a perfect smoke in minutes! Alternatively, if you prefer to roll from a flat sheet of paper, you’ll find booklets that are reliable and easy to travel with.

  • Color and Design

Rolling papers come in a variety of colors, from plain white or brown (unbleached) to more elaborate stamped papers with unique designs. Furthermore, you can even find pre-rolled cones measuring a whopping 24" (~23.8 inches) to pass around during parties, or gold leaf papers to experience what it’s like to live the high life.

Video id: 733538031

White vs Brown Rolling Papers: What's the Difference?

Rolling papers may have different porosity to control ventilation and burning rate. Apart from this, the paper can contain additional substances that slow down the burning, stabilise the paper itself, its smoke, and its ash. White rolling papers usually have a chemical aspect because of the presence of chlorine or calcium carbonate, which help slow down the burn. Flavored and colored rolling papers also contain chemicals, or even natural substances that have no real reason to be inhaled. Nowadays, many papers from respectable brands are made without chemical treatments or materials that improve combustion, reducing the possible harm and aftertaste of your smoke.

Most Common Rolling Paper Materials

Below is a breakdown of the most common materials used to create rolling papers. Some are more popular than others, and some are subject to significant chemical treatment while others are kept relatively unprocessed. Furthermore, each type of paper has a slightly different burn rate and porosity.

 1. Classic Wood Pulp Paper 

At one point in history, wood pulp rolling papers were among the most popular, and they continue to be used to this day. They are often mixed with other fibres, giving them a texture makes them easy to handle. On average, these papers are thicker than other, newer types, even if they are available in a few different thicknesses—bleached or unbleached. White wood pulp papers are bleached, while brown ones are not. Wood pulp is solid, and the handy texture of these papers makes them convenient for beginners because they hold their shape well, even in presence of a little humidity or shaky, sweaty hands. Wood pulp papers have a medium–fast burn rate and are considered less desirable among most smokers compared to other materials.

 2. Barely There Rice Paper 

The best rice papers are made from all-natural ingredients, meaning it’s basically just processed and pressed rice. These rolling papers are usually thinner than others, which is a good thing for your lungs but may require a little more effort when rolling. This smooth paper might not grip well between your fingers and is pretty vulnerable to certain conditions, especially damp air. Forget smoking with these papers when it’s raining outside. Rice paper is thin yet burns slowly. The little material used for a single sheet makes it a potentially better choice for your health, and for enjoying your weed without almost any external aftertaste.

 3. Silky Smooth Flax Paper 

A similar result can be achieved with flax, which is sometimes used in rolling paper blends. There are indeed rolling papers made from 100% flax that can be considered a nice alternative to rice papers. The flax plant is well-known for producing flax seeds, a highly nutritious food that can be processed into a rich oil with a load of potential benefits. Flax fibre is made from the plant's natural long stems, and can be processed into a durable, lightweight, and ultra-fine paper. While they're not super popular, flax papers have a unique, silky texture that feels great in the hands and makes for easy rolling. Flax papers burn nice and slowly, giving you more time to enjoy your smoke, and are also flavorless, meaning they won't impact or alter the flavors/aromas of your herb in any way.

 4. Hemp Is a Smoker's Friend 

Industrial hemp has proudly resurged in the last 20 years, and hemp rolling papers were immediately appreciated by the community. First off, these papers help to save trees, as they are made from hemp fibre, not wood pulp. Their color is mainly light brown because the bleaching process is usually not appreciated by cannabis consumers. Hemp papers are thicker and rougher than rice ones, providing a good grip when rolling. However, they have a similar tendency to absorb (and eventually release) humidity. They have a medium burn rate and go out less often than rice papers. Joints made with hemp papers might take on a delicate aftertaste that won't spoil the aroma of the burning herb.

 5. Old-School Esparto Paper 

Esparto, also known as halfah grass, is a tall perennial grass grown as a crop in North Africa, Spain, and Portugal. Esparto is usually used to make carts, cardboard, and even clothing, but it can also be processed into paper. To make paper, esparto is typically mixed with roughly 5–10% wood pulp for easier processing. And while esparto paper production dates back many years, esparto rolling papers are very uncommon. And for good reason; esparto has been shown to produce highly carcinogenic smoke when burned. Hence, we do not recommend using esparto papers for smoking!

How Are Rolling Papers Produced?

As we just saw, rolling papers can be made from a variety of different fibres. In fact, many rolling paper manufacturers opt to use blends of fibres to create a finished product with the right texture and burn for smoking. Some fibres (such as wood pulp, in particular) burn very quickly, while other fibres (such as hemp) have a much slower burn. For smoking, you'll want a paper with a slow and even burn to preserve the flavors of whatever you're smoking.

To actually make their papers, manufacturers make a pulp from the selected fibres, which they then dry and press into a fine paper. Many rolling papers are also treated with chemicals to affect the burn, color, and flavor of the final product, though not all are.

Rolling papers

What Toxic Ingredients Are in Rolling Papers That You Should Avoid?

Note that smoking is always toxic, regardless of what herb you're smoking and what rolling material(s) you're using. When you combust plant material, the high heat from your lighter or match catalyses a bunch of reactions that essentially alter the chemicals in whatever you're smoking. The resulting smoke—while also containing terpenes, flavonoids, and, in the case of cannabis, cannabinoids—contains a wide variety of toxic compounds, many of which have been shown to be carcinogenic.

Nonetheless, if you smoke, there's no need to add fuel to the fire (pun intended). By choosing high-quality, natural smoking materials, you can enjoy a better-tasting and smelling smoke while also minimising your exposure to toxic chemicals. Some chemicals to avoid in rolling papers include:

  • Heavy metals: Heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, lead, and cadmium (all of which have been found[1] to be present in some rolling papers) are known to be extremely toxic to humans and many other life forms as well.
  • GMO fibres: While the health effects of consuming genetically modified products is a highly debated topic, we at RQS are fans of keeping things as natural as possible. Hence, we encourage all smokers to seek out GMO-free products whenever possible.
  • Artificial dyes: While some colored papers may be made with natural dyes (like those used in food colourings, for example), others are made with harsh chemical dyes that are far from fit for human consumption. If you like to use colored papers, look for products made with natural dyes.
  • Bleach and calcium carbonate: Many commercial rolling papers are bleached to give them a pure, white color. The most common chemical used to bleach rolling papers is chlorine, which is highly toxic and produces toxic fumes. To limit your exposure to excess chemicals when smoking, consider using unbleached papers. Calcium carbonate is also commonly used to bleach rolling papers and produce a slow, even burn. Paper treated with calcium carbonate becomes increasingly porous, which in turn affects the exchange of gases as the roll-up burns. Unfortunately, calcium carbonate irritates the skin and eyes in direct contact, as well as the respiratory tract when inhaled. When combusted, calcium carbonate produces irritating smoke.
  • Potassium nitrate: Flavored papers (particularly blunt wraps) often contain potassium nitrate, which is highly toxic. In its natural form, potassium nitrate irritates the skin and eyes upon contact, and the nose, throat, and lungs when inhaled. In high concentrations, potassium nitrate can affect oxygen transportation around the body and cause anaemia and even death.

That's a Wrap!

There's no shortage of variety when it comes to rolling papers. Choosing one type or brand of paper over another often comes down to personal preference in terms of the size, flavor, or color of the paper as well as how it burns and, of course, the price. However, where possible, we recommend steering away from bleached or heavily processed rolling papers to preserve the flavor of your smoke and avoid exposing yourself to excess chemicals.  


External Resources:
  1. Lab Analysis: Some Rolling Papers Contain Unwanted Contaminants - NORML https://norml.org
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: