People have been trying different ways to smoke ever since humankind discovered that standing downwind of a campfire made from certain plants can make you dizzy. There’s no record of who the first person was who threw some tobacco or dried herbs in a rolled-up cone of paper and lit it, but the method caught on. Today it’s one of the most common ways of smoking.
It didn’t take long to discover that certain papers make a better smoking experience, and today’s smoker has a variety of paper selections at their fingertips when it comes to selecting their favorite cones. This article is about the many different materials that are used in making paper for pre rolls, tubes, and cones, and why hemp may be better than the rest.
An Array Of Papers
Rolling paper and raw pre roll cones and joint tubes can be made of almost any type of thin paper. The best materials burn slowly and evenly and have no objectionable taste. Common materials include wood, rice, flax, cellulose, and of course, tobacco and hemp. Special materials include palm leaves and flower petals.
Wood
Wood pulp is common in cigarettes and standard rolling papers. Wood is used in regular white papers, French white papers, and unbleached papers. This style of paper can be found in flavored and fortified/coated smoking products.
Wood pulp requires extensive processing to be made into paper. It needs additional processing to be made into a paper that is suitable for smoking products. Recycled paper may also be used, and it is often available at a lower cost.
Papers that are made primarily from wood are strong and may have a distinctive odor or taste that some people notice and associate with traditional hand-rolled joints. These qualities may be masked by the scent of aromatic and flavorful flower, but experienced smokers can often detect it.
Rice
Rice paper can be made from rice or a variety of non-rice products, including rice straw and mulberry bark fibers, depending on the type of rice paper being discussed. Rice paper for smoking, however, is made only from rice.
To make rice paper for smoking, rice is first broken down with heat and combined with water and other additives such as flax. This liquid is spread in a thin layer and dried, resulting in sheets. These raw sheets of rice paper then go through further processing before they reach the final thickness and quality needed for fine smoking products.
When burned, rice paper creates an odor that is mild and generally inoffensive and not noticeable with cannabis products. It is similar to wood pulp in being readily available and inexpensive.
Flax
Flax must undergo heavy processing to be turned into cloth. This creates byproducts that are not suitable for textile production. Some of this byproduct goes to making smoking paper products.
Flax may help extend ingredients and add strength to the paper. The manufacturer may also add flax to control the rate of burn of the paper or affect other qualities useful for production or marketing.
Flax is often combined with rice, wood pulp, or hemp when used for paper.
Cellulose
Cellulose is a plant-based material made with a special process. It can be used to create smoking papers that are semi-transparent or clear, allowing users to see what is inside their cones.
Clear cellulose rolling papers are made by combining cellulose with water and glycerin, a form of sugar. This produces a cellophane-like clear paper sheet.
Astute smokers may note that sugar when burned, creates a variety of chemical compounds, including carcinogenic substances. While smoking any substance is not generally considered a healthy pastime, some smokers may prefer to use clear smoking papers only for special occasions.
Hemp
Hemp is a natural plant-based material that can be found in products used all over the world and in many households.
Hemp, a form of cannabis that contains less than 0.03% THC, grows quickly and contains strong fibers that are suitable for textiles, paper products, building materials, and more.
Hemp undergoes a process similar to flax when it comes to making paper for smoking. This includes the separation of the outer bark from the inner layer, the separation of fibers, and the breaking down of the fibers. The intermediate result, a liquid slurry, is spread in a thin layer and dried, pressed, and refined until it is suitable for paper products like pre roll cones and rolling papers.
Why Hemp Is The Best
For many cannabis fans who wish to follow a harmonious lifestyle or limit themselves to natural products, hemp skin for their favorite smoke seems only natural. Beyond personal preference, however, there are logical reasons why hemp paper may be the best paper you can use on your premium cones.
Strength – Hemp fibers are strong, which helps make hemp products durable, including pre roll cones. Strength and durability matter during filling, especially when it is done by hand. This may make hemp papers easier for beginners to use, whether they are filling a cone or learning how to roll a traditional joint. Strength is important for filling systems, and hemp papers can stand up to the highest packing density settings used in most machines.
Safe – Hemp rolling paper does not contain nicotine or THC. Hemp has antibacterial properties that inhibit the growth of many pathogens, which may make hemp paper a more sanitary option than some other papers. Hemp is considered to be hypoallergenic, and hemp seeds are a safe alternative for people who are allergic to nuts. Hemp paper used for smoking products is lab-tested and checked for the presence of heavy metals and pesticides, and hemp can be organically grown, and vegan.
Smoking Qualities – Hemp paper burns slowly and evenly and has a mild scent. Slow burning contributes to the relaxing experience of smoking, and the natural scent does not clash with typical smoking mixtures, particularly cannabis flower.
Sustainability – Hemp is a highly sustainable seasonal crop that grows quickly and requires minimal care. It is naturally pest-resistant, and its strong root system lets it resist draughts better than many other crops. When mature, hemp provides more biomass and has less impact on the environment than comparable wood-based products, and hemp waste is naturally biodegradable.
Cost Savings – Hemp can be 77% less costly to cultivate in field operation costs, irrigation, seeds, and fertilization than cotton. It requires less harmful processes when used for making paper for smoking, which can reduce cleanup costs. Hemp contains three times more cellulose than an equivalent amount of wood, making it more efficient to process.
Fast Growing – Hemp needs four months to grow, making multiple harvests possible throughout the year. Comparable hardwood and softwood trees used for paper take a minimum of 8-12 years to be ready for harvest.
Make Premium Cones With Hemp
Hemp is a popular option preferred by many cannabis fans who look for all-natural products. Many people who quit smoking tobacco cigarettes continue to smoke cannabis, and hemp can be a popular option among this demographic. Other reasons that customers may look for hemp products include lifestyle, sustainability interests, green concerns, and personal preference. Using premium hemp pre rolled cones with your best flower may help your brand reach this selective market.