Best Alternatives When You're Out of Rolling Papers (Plus, What Not to Use)

You’ve got everything you need to smoke: the weed, the lighter, water, some miscellaneous munchies. But when you unpack your bag and get ready to roll, you realize you forgot the most important thing: papers. If you’re in this predicament, you’ve landed in the right place. There are plenty of alternatives you can use when you’re in a pinch, like apples, rose petals, and even unbleached coffee filters! In this article, we’ll teach you about all of them, from natural to household alternatives. We also explain which “alternatives” to steer clear of (and why).

Best Rolling Paper Alternatives to Try

Banana Peels
Apples
Rose Petals
Tobacco Blunt Wraps
Unbleached Coffee Filters
Onion Peels
Bongs or Glass Pipes

Section 1 of 9:

Natural Rolling Paper Alternatives

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Corn Husks Instead of grabbing some foil from the pantry or picking some unknown leaves out of the ground, opt for a corn husk for a smooth-smoking roll. You’ll need to take extra care to ensure that the husk stays intact during the rolling process, but it’ll result in a natural smoke that’s good in a pinch.^{[1]
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- How to Roll: Slightly moisten the husk to make it pliable, trim it to size, then roll it like you would with a regular rolling paper. Light it at the opposite end from your mouth and inhale for a slow, even-burning smoke.
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Banana Peels This one’s an easy and accessible alternative when you don’t have any rolling papers hanging around. You will need to peel and scrape them a bit, so have a knife or scraping tool on hand. Although it may seem like work, this method will result in a natural, flavorful smoke that brings a pleasant shift to your smoke session. ^{[2]
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- How to Roll: Scrape off the inside layer until it’s bare, then rinse any residue with warm water. Pat dry the peel with a paper towel, let it air dry (or microwave for 3-5 seconds), then roll it.
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Rose PetalsYou have to be careful with this alternative, as rose petals are delicate and can easily break. But in return for all your patience in hard work, you will be rewarded with a lovely alternative that makes for a cute, aesthetically pleasing joint with a soft, sweet smoke. ^{[3]
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- How to Roll: Let the petals dry out naturally or bake them at 250℉ (121 ℃) for a few minutes to make them more pliable. Lay the dried petal flat, add your weed, then gently roll to avoid tearing the petal.
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Mango Skin Mango skin is a great alternative to rolling papers, as it provides flavorful hits that can enhance your smoking experience. Like banana peels, the process will take a bit more time than standard rolling papers, but the natural-tasting smoke makes it worth it.^{[4]
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- How to Roll: Scrape off the inner layer with a knife or scraping tool until it is bare. Rinse away any residue with warm water, pat dry the peel with a paper towel, then microwave for 3-5 seconds. Then, roll like you would standard rolling paper.
- In the weed community, mango is believed to enhance the effects of weed for a more potent high, as they both contain the terpene myrcene.^{[5]
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- Myrcene is believed to have a sedating effect in animals at high doses, which contributes to the belief that mangos elevate the effects of weed.^{[6]
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Lettuce or Cabbage Leaves While lettuce or cabbage leaves will burn faster than some of the other alternatives on this list, they still work well in a pinch. Not only that, but they also provide a soft, natural flavor that helps enhance the taste of the cannabis.^{[7]
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- How to Roll: Rinse any dirt off the leaves with warm water. Trim thick veins away to make the leaves easier to roll, then pat dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle the weed in the leaf, then roll like you would regular rolling paper.
- Make sure to use chemical and pesticide-free leaves.
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Zucchini or Cucumber Skin Peeling of the skins may take some work, but the thin, flexible makeup of the skin will make for the perfect joint. Not only that, you’ll also be able to enjoy flavorful smoke with a cannabis and veggie taste.^{[8]
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- How to Roll: Carefully peel your veggie, making sure the skin stays intact. Briefly dry it so it becomes more pliable, then put the weed inside and roll it like a regular paper.
- Slightly moisten the edges with your saliva to help the wrap stay together.
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Tobacco Blunt Wraps If you have some blunt wraps around and have run out of rolling papers, the blunt wraps can be useful. They will likely give you a nicotine buzz due to the nicotine present in the wraps, so if you don’t want a buzz, you may want to avoid this method. If you don’t mind, though, get ready to roll! ^{[9]
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- How to Roll: Split the blunt wrap open down to the middle and remove the tobacco inside. Fill the wrap with ground weed, lick the inside at the break, press it back together, then run the flame of a lighter down the broken section to reseal.
- Consider adding a filter at the mouthpiece to filter out some of the additives from the blunt wrap.
- If the blunt wrap is too long for your liking, use a pair of scissors to make a horizontal cut down the middle.
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Onion Peels Onion peels are a great, healthy alternative to traditional rolling papers, especially when you’re in a pinch. All you have to do is peel away the skin of your onion, which should already be dry, and use it like a rolling paper. The best part is that it doesn’t leave an onion taste behind, as it’s the outer layer of skin, so you don’t have to worry about onion breath during the sesh.^{[10]
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- How to Roll: Grab your onion peel, cut it to your desired size, and rinse it with warm water to make it more pliable. Let the peel air dry, then roll it like you would a standard joint.
- Rub honey on the overlapping end, then press it to the base of the joint to seal.

Section 2 of 9:

Household Rolling Paper Alternatives

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Unbleached Coffee Filters Unbleached coffee filters are useful in a pinch (as long as they’re clean). They are easy to use as a rolling paper and can be cut to any size you want, making them useful for small and large quantities of weed.^{[11]
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- How to Roll: Cut the coffee filter into your desired size, then pack the weed into the center. Roll the filter over the bud, then finish the roll like you would a standard joint. Lick the overlapping paper to seal the joint.
- Consider using a weed filter when you roll with a coffee filter. That way, you won’t get any unwelcome buds in your mouth.
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Plain Tissue Paper The tissue paper that comes in shoeboxes can be useful for rolling paper, but only as a last resort. Make sure the tissue paper doesn’t have any added fragrances and chemicals by giving it a smell test and doing some research on what type of tissue paper the brand uses.^{[12]
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- How to Roll: Cut the tissue paper to your desired size, then pack ground weed into the center and roll it like a regular joint. Seal it by licking the overlapping end and pressing it against the joint.
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Gum Wrapper Paper Gum wrapper paper is thin and pliable, making it a good substitute when you don’t have rolling papers. You do have to do a bit of work to pull this one off, though, as you’ll need to either find a gum wrapper without foil or remove the foil backing before rolling.^{[13]
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- How to Roll: Grab the gum wrapper paper and carefully rip away the foil backing to remove it. Once the foil is gone, use it to roll a joint like you would standard rolling paper.
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Unbleached, Inkless Book Pages If you’re in a rush and only have some books nearby, grab some of the empty pages to use as rolling paper. Rip it out of the book and cut it to size, then get to work! Avoid pages with lots of ink, like newspapers, receipts, and ruled notebook paper, as the ink can be toxic when burning them.^{[14]
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- How to Roll: Rip the paper out of the book, cut it to size, then pack the weed into the center. Roll it like you would a joint, then seal it by licking the overlapped end and pressing it against the joint.
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Empty Cigarettes If you or someone in the area is a smoker, grab a cigarette and hollow it out to make room for the buds. It’s a great alternative if you’re itching for a smoke and don’t have anything on hand, but it is a gamble, as the cigarette paper may contain extra additives. So, if you opt for this method, proceed with caution.^{[15]
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- How to Roll: Hollow out the cigarette to remove all of the tobacco, then pack the hollow roll with your weed. Keep the filter in to keep buds from being sucked into your mouth.

Section 3 of 9:

Non-Rollable Alternatives

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Apples Apples are a classic alternative to use in a pinch, and for good reason. It’s an accessible method that’s simple to achieve. You’ll need a tool to hollow the fruit out and make a bowl, but after that bit of work, you’ll be able to smoke your weed with a fruity, flavorful taste.^{[16]
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- How to Smoke: Use a knife or carving tool to make a ½ inch deep hole on top of the apple to form your bowl. Then, hollow out a hole from the bowl to the side of the apple to create a mouthpiece. Pack the bowl, light the weed, and inhale.
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Bongs or Glass Pipes Bongs and glass pipes are essentials in your collection. When you’re out of rolling papers and still want to smoke, you can grind the weed like you would for a joint, then pack the bowl of the bong or pipe and smoke it. Pipes generally won’t get you as high as joints or bongs, as the amount of weed and smoke delivered through the mouthpiece tends to be different, but they’ll still be useful when you don’t have papers.
- How to Smoke: Grind your weed, pack it into the bowl or shallow end of the pipe, light the ground weed, and inhale through the deep end of the pipe or bowl.
- The mouthpiece is typically the thinner end of the bowl. On pipes, it’s typically the deeper end.
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Edibles Whether you don’t want to smoke or are out of papers, edibles are a great alternative to rolling papers. You can use the weed you have on hand to make edibles, too! If you do take them, prepare for a longer high. The effects come on between 30 minutes and 2 hours after eating them, and depending on the potency of your edibles, can last anywhere from 4-12 hours.^{[17]
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- How to Consume: Eat the edible like a normal snack or pastry. Keep some water on hand just in case your mouth gets dry.
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Infused Drinks Like edibles, infused drinks bring on a high without the harshness of smoke, making them a great alternative when you don’t have any rolling papers on hand. You can make a tea, make a tincture to put into drinks of your choice, or head to a cannabis cafe or dispensary for an infused drink if you live in a legal state.
- How to Consume: Drink the infused drink like you would a regular drink.
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Zucchinis or Cucumbers Zucchinis and cucumbers can double as pipes if you don’t have any rolling papers and don’t feel like peeling the skin away. You’ll still need to do some work to carve out the necessary holes for a pipe, but you’ll be able to smoke your weed in a pinch. Plus, the veggie pipe will be usable for as long as the veggie is good!
- How to Smoke:
  - Carve a small ½ inch hole to make your bowl.
  - Use a small utensil, like a straw or the thin end of a hand mixer’s beater, to carve the pipe end you’ll be smoking from. Make sure the pipe end connects to the ½ inch hole you formed earlier.
  - Grind some weed, then pack it into the bowl end of the veggie pipe.
  - Light the bowl and smoke it.
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Dry Herb Vaporizer Dry herb vaporizers take ground weed and cook it into a vapor, removing the need for a flame and papers. You’re able to choose the specific temperature your weed is cooked at, allowing for a more customizable experience that’s easier on your lungs. Not only are the vaporizers easier on your lungs, but they also produce little to no odor, making them the perfect alternative if you don’t want a smell.^{[18]
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- How to Smoke: Pack ground weed into the weed compartment (typically located on the bottom of the device, but this may vary depending on your model). Set your desired temperature, then click the button and inhale.
- Some vaporizers don’t have buttons. In those cases, you simply cook the weed and inhale.
- Since you aren’t burning the weed, you can use ground nugs to make edibles!
- Types of Dry Herb Vaporizers:
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Glass Bowl and Straw This one is useful in a pinch when you don’t have any other tools and don’t mind stinking up the kitchen a bit. You’ll need some fire-safe dishes to pull this off, but it’ll get the job done. Grind some weed, lay it on a fire-safe plate, and prepare to make some magic happen.
- How to Smoke:
  - Grab a fire-safe bowl and plate, then sprinkle the ground weed onto the fire-safe plate.
  - Light the ground weed and quickly cover it with the fire-safe bowl. Briefly open the bowl as it burns to ensure the weed has an oxygen supply.
  - Once it burns out completely, insert a straw into the bowl and suck the smoke out.
- If the flame gets too high, drop the bowl down to cut off the oxygen supply and snuff it out before it becomes a hazard.
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The Raw Bud If you don’t have your hands on any other alternatives and are itching for a smoke, opt for no materials at all by smoking the raw bud. You’ll need to carve a hole into the bud and prepare smaller pieces of weed so they’re ready to smoke, but it can be useful in a pinch when you don’t have anything else at your disposal.
- How to Smoke: Carve a small hole through the center of the bud, shave off excess weed from the sides, and grind it. Then, pack the ground weed into the hole. Grab your lighter and light the ground weed, being careful not to light the raw bud.

Section 4 of 9:

Rolling Alternatives You Shouldn’t Use

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Aluminum Foil While it may seem like a useful alternative in a pinch, aluminum foil emits toxic gases when burned. When these gases are introduced to your lungs, they can cause irritation or long-term lung damage. So, if you care about your health and want to keep your lungs safe, avoid using aluminum foil as an alternative.^{[19]
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- The same goes for tin foil, as it also releases toxic fumes when burned.
Although they seem like an easy substitute for rolling paper, receipt papers are often filled with ink. Not only that, but they are also covered in a primer that gives them their shiny, glossy feel–and coats your lungs with toxic fumes when smoked. So, although you may be itching for a substitute, avoid using receipt paper.^{[20]
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Besides natural types of printer paper, printer paper uses bleach or chlorine during the recycled process. Inhaling this bleach and chlorine can be bad for your lungs in the short and long term, so it’s best to avoid printer paper, especially if it’s highly processed.^{[21]
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Any paper that’s colored or treated with gloss will release a host of different toxic chemicals when burned, which will attack your lungs without prejudice. The bleach, glue, dyes, and other materials in these papers create an awful taste that will do damage to your lungs, so avoid rolling with them at all costs.
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Laminated or Plastic-Coated Items Food wrappers, plastic labels, and other glossy, laminated items are a big no-no when you’re looking for rolling-paper alternatives. When you burn polyvinyl chloride, which is used in packaging and consumer goods, it releases dioxin, which is extremely toxic to breathe.^{[22]
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Science Direct
Online archive of peer-reviewed research on scientific, technical and medical topics

Go to source} So, the next time you think about using a food wrapper or other plastic-coated items to roll your weed, reconsider.
- Dioxin inhalation can lead to cancer, birth defects, and respiratory tract disorders.^{[23]
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  Online archive of peer-reviewed research on scientific, technical and medical topics
  
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Although soda cans were used by older smokers when they were in a pinch, they actually aren’t safe to smoke. Soda cans are typically made up of metals and plastics that emit dangerous fumes when burned. So, although you’ll be able to get high for a few hours, you may be risking a lifetime of lung issues.

Section 5 of 9:

Pros of Using Rolling Paper Alternatives

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When you use natural substitutes, like banana peels, mango peels, or lettuce leaves, they create an organic experience that adds new flavors to your smoking session and helps you recycle, which can make you feel more connected to the natural world.^{[24]
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Certain alternatives, like rose petals, zucchini skin, and onion peels, create visually stunning joints that have unique, natural flavors. These vibrant visuals and natural flavors make for a creative smoking experience that’s fun and full of conversation starters that can make the session that much better.^{[25]
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The natural alternatives on this list, like banana peels, cabbage leaves, and mango skin, are biodegradable, meaning they’ll naturally break down and replenish the environment over time. They are also more sustainable than traditional rolling papers, as they don’t use wood pulp, which contributes to deforestation.^{[26]
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If you’re using an organic alternative, like banana peels, rose petals, or cucumber, the flavor from the material you’re using will be drawn into your smoke once you light the weed, making for a more flavorful session. This can be a pro or a con depending on the flavors you like and how they mix with the cannabis’s natural taste, so be mindful of what you’re using.
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The materials tend to be accessible. Coffee filters, leaves, fruit and vegetable peels, and other items on this list are easy to get your hands on, whether you’re at home or the grocery store. While the preparation process may take longer, you won’t have to worry about the hassle of bringing your ID to that sketchy, window-barred smoke shop down the street.
- Instead, you can grab fruit or filters from the store or head to the kitchen and get to business.

Section 6 of 9:

Cons of Using Rolling Paper Alternatives

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If you opt for book paper or gum wrappers, you may introduce harmful chemicals to your lungs if you accidentally forget about an inked page or a small sheet of foil and burn it before realizing. If you aren’t careful, this can lead to short and long-term health consequences, especially if you regularly opt for these alternatives.^{[27]
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They may burn inconsistently. Some alternatives, like cabbage leaves and plain book paper, burn faster than traditional rolling papers. These fast burns can result in inconsistent burns that result in canoed joints that are ash on top and grass on the bottom.
- Other alternatives, like corn husks, burn slowly and smoothly, so it isn’t all bad!
While rolling papers are already folded, sticky, and ready to roll, alternatives need to be prepared before they can be used to smoke. Whether you’re making a cucumber pipe, cracking open a blunt wrap, or making edibles, the prep time for alternatives typically takes much longer in comparison to standard rolling papers.
Many of the household options aren’t biodegradable, which means they won’t break down over time. Although they may give you a joint that burns well and only leaves behind ash, the tail-end that you don’t smoke won’t break down, which can introduce more litter into the environment.
Some rolling paper alternatives, like banana peels or cucumber pipes, introduce new flavors to the weed that may not always be enjoyable. While some people love a bit of a banana kick in their joints, you may feel like it’s the worst thing to be added to joints since unnecessary slivers of dab oil. It all depends on the flavors you like and don’t like.

Section 7 of 9:

Staying Safe When Using Rolling Paper Alternatives

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These items can introduce harmful toxins and gases to your lungs when burned, which can cause short and long-term lung problems. So, although items like bleached paper, filled book or magazine pages, or colored papers may seem like good options in a pinch, it’s best to avoid them to stay safe.^{[28]
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When researching your alternatives, look for natural, untreated materials that don’t contain any extra chemicals or additives. For example, if you have a gum wrapper from a pack that you just finished, look up the brand and check what materials they use before rolling it into a joint. This can save you trouble by ensuring that you’re using materials that are safe to consume.^{[29]
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Before fully packing your rolling paper alternative and rolling it into a baseball bat, take a small amount of weed and roll it into a baby joint to see how the alternative smokes. It’ll give you an opportunity to see how fast the alternative burns, how you like the flavor, and how it interacts with the weed, saving you from a potentially weak session.^{[30]
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If you’re using an organic substitute, like rose petals or mango peels, make sure they’re dry before you roll to avoid losing any weed. If you roll a joint with a wet alternative, it won’t burn properly if you put a flame to it, which can result in lost weed, scoobies kicking back into your mouth, or a singed, unusable alternative.
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Don’t overpack the weed. Although you may be tempted to stuff as much weed as you can into the rolling paper substitute, overpacking the weed can lead to uneven or harsh hits. Not only does this hurt your throat, but it also makes for a less-than-satisfactory smoking experience. Instead, roll with a moderate amount of weed for a smoother burn.
- Pack your weed lightly if you’re using coffee filters to prevent uneven burns.
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Be mindful of any potential allergies. Whether you’re smoking by yourself or with a group of friends, it’s important to make sure no one has allergies to the materials you’re using to roll the weed with. Someone may have an allergy to plants, leaves, or other organic substances on this list, so be mindful of the materials you’re using.
- If anyone has allergies, it’s best to go with regular papers or an alternative that doesn’t trigger their allergies.
Different states have different laws in regards to marijuana. It isn’t federally legal, and there are still 6 states that completely outlaw the sale, purchase, and usage of marijuana. Some states are in a mixed status, which means medical marijuana is legal, but recreational marijuana isn’t. So, check the legal status of marijuana in your state before toking to make sure you’re being safe.^{[31]
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Section 8 of 9:

Frequently Asked Questions

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Are all rolling paper alternatives safe to use? Not all rolling paper alternatives are made equal. Organic alternatives, like apples, bananas, cucumbers, and cabbage, are all safe to use as long as you don’t have any allergies. Non-organic alternatives are iffy, as some, like unbleached coffee filters, are fine, while others, like gum wrappers, can be dangerous if not prepared correctly.
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How do I know if a material is safe for rolling? Check that the material is clean and free of any dirt or debris. Then, check to see if it’s organic and free of any chemicals. Always use materials that are free of ink or lots of gloss. When you use organic, plant-based options, check whether or not they’ve been treated with pesticides.
- To check these things, look at the list of ingredients on the packaging or check the PLU code on the sticker of your organic alternatives.
- If the PLU sticker has a four-digit or three-digit code, it likely contains pesticides.^{[32]
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What are the safest alternatives to rolling paper? Glass bowls, pipes, and natural, pesticide-free organics, like bananas, apples, and cucumbers, are the safest alternatives to rolling paper, as they don’t contain any additives or potentially harmful chemicals. Glass bowls and pipes tend to be easier to prepare than fruit and vegetable alternatives, as well.
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Can I roll a joint with a cigarette filter? Yes, you can roll a joint with a cigarette filter. All you have to do is carefully remove the tobacco from the cigarette using a small pin, then refill it with your weed strain of choice. You may still ingest additives from the cigarette paper, but this option works well in a pinch.
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Can rolling paper alternatives change the taste of the weed? Yes, alternatives can absolutely change the taste of the weed. While standard weed has a bit of a dry, skunky taste, rolling paper alternatives, like mango skin, banana peels, cucumbers, and lettuce leaves, can all enhance the taste with their respective flavors, just like flavored wraps do.

Section 9 of 9:

Final Thoughts

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There are plenty of safe, accessible options to use when you run out of rolling paper. Organic options, like banana peels, corn husks, and zucchini skin, can be useful in a pinch and are often found in the kitchen. If you don’t have any of those items, unbleached coffee filters or empty book pages without ink can also do the trick. It’s important to check the items you use to ensure that they’re safe to consume, too, as items with plastic, foil, or glossy coatings can be harmful to your health when smoked.
- To find out whether or not an alternative is safe to smoke, check the ingredients list, look up what materials it’s made out of, and check the PLU code on the fruit to see if it contains pesticides.

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Always consult your state laws before deciding whether or not you should smoke. Many states outlaw the recreational use of marijuana. Legal states have an age limit of 21 or older.

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