Running out of the rolling papers, especially at a time when you need them desperately, always sucks. The gloom doubles if you are out with your club and you realize that there is no rolling paper in your bag, just as you feel like taking a hit. Thankfully there are plenty of great rolling paper alternatives.
Just because you have run out of rolling papers doesn’t mean that you cannot smoke weed. Below, we’ll share many ways to smoke weed if you don’t have rolling papers.
Table of Contents
List of Great Rolling Paper Alternatives
As you will notice, some of these alternatives are quite readily available and are super cheap, while others might be a little less practical depending on your situation.
1. Tin Foil Pipe
Failing miserably in your endeavor to make a cardboard roll joint? No worries, try tin foil substitute pipe. There is plenty of room available for you to get all creative, so we dare say you will like this rolling paper alternative a lot if you are from the tribe of imaginative ones!
Here is what you need to do. Model a cone shape using tin foil. You will need a pencil for this purpose. Here, the trick is to leave just enough portion of foil so that it can be bent into a bowl shape later. Also, allowing an air passage is extremely important as well. Don’t forget to leave a small gap for that purpose. Once you are satisfied with your art, all that is left for you to do is fill the bowl with cannabis. Light it up and smoke it. The beauty of the method lies in its simplicity, alright!
2. Apples
You might have had a lot of apple pies in your life, but have you ever heard of an apple pipe? Well, that is another rolling paper alternative that you can consider, a very unique one too, we must add! What is more, apple pipes are not only a great alternative to rolling paper; they are a great alternative for bubblers as well. Smoking from an apple, talk about aesthetics!
So, how can you make an apple pipe all by yourself? Here is what you need to do. First of all, you will need to buy a fresh apple. Wash it well and then remove its stems. Then, you need to create a hole in the center of the apple. You can use a pen to create such a hole. Once you have made this centric hole, you will need to create another hole, but this time in the middle side of the apple. Do you see what you have just created? You have created a connecting tunnel. Of course, there is bound to be some extra apple stuck on the openings that you have just created. Clean it up.
You have done the hard work. Now place a piece of aluminum foil on the top of the hole-y apple. To enable proper ventilation, you need to poke in some holes here as well. Now place your weed on the foil and light it up. Your apple pipe is ready for use! You will always be able to find an apple almost everywhere; it is such a common fruit. That’s why apple pipes are such a great alternative to rolling papers.
3. Empty Cigarettes
Here, we are talking about cigarette tubes. Bit of a wrench emptying a cigarette, right? But, well, you got to sacrifice something to get something better. OK, so once you have emptied your cigarette, you can fill it up with your weed. This is yet another clever method of making things work when you cannot find rolling paper in your immediate vicinity. One among your party is bound to be a smoker. Otherwise, you can always borrow a cigarette from people around you.
A major challenge that you are bound to face when you are filling up the cigarette is that it will take some amount of weed to fill it up to the point where you can experience the hit you are craving for. Worth it, we would say! And in any case, it is a much better option to consider, rather than running around rolling paper like a headless chicken. Apart from an empty cigarette tube, you will also need a scissor to make sure that everything is fancy and functioning. In an optional step, you can replace the carbon filter as well if you like. This is easily one of the most practical rolling paper alternatives.
4. Tin Cans
No shortage of these, if it is a beach that you are stuck on! This is such a clever invention; one can almost forget about the rolling papers once trash cans start doing their magic. How can you turn your energy drink soda can into a cannabis pipe? Let’s find out.
In the first step, you need to rinse the can properly. Try as hard as you can to make the smell and the taste of the drink go away. Now, create a dent in the fancy can so that you can stick it in your weed. It is also important to create openings or air spaces so that the smoke can pass out as well. Fill it up with weed and then light up the cannabis. To draw, press your lips against the can’s dent.
While we are on the subject, another option that you can consider is purchasing a presto pipe. Using this pipe, you can turn pretty much every bottle or can into a weed-smoking apparatus. Rolling papers are cool, but well, there is fun in trying unique methods as well. Trash cans are one such fun option.
5. Gum Wrapper
As this discussion moves on, you will find some very weird choices on this list of rolling paper alternatives. Anyhow, next up is a gum wrapper. No fancy gum, just the wrapper of ordinary bubble gum will do the trick. If you are planning on spending one fine day hitting joints with your friends, chances are high that you will be carrying a stick of gum with you in any case. You can use the wrapper of such a stick to your advantage greatly.
Gum wrapper is a great alternative to rolling paper. The primary reason for such confidence in bubble gum wrapper stems from the fact that its texture and material are quite similar to that of a rice or hemp rolling paper. So you will have no issues as far as consistency is concerned. Another plus that you get with gum wrappers is that the sticky nature of the paper can help you seal your joint perfectly. Handy, isn’t it?
One precaution that you will have to take is the nature of the gum wrapper you are using. Folks, you can only use the paper wrapper. The silvery foil wraps are not the best option for you since they pose several health risks. In many cases, you can actually remove the aluminum foil part from the paper part.
6. Corn Husk
There are plenty of bonus points that one gets with corn husks. For one, the papery taste that you get from rolling papers is missing in the corn husks. So there is one down on the negatives! What is more, this is a purely natural replacement/alternative, just like the apple pipes. This means that you don’t have to experiment a lot on your own. Another key feature of a joint made from the corn husk is that it is very easy to roll up its fibrous membrane.
It is these and many other reasons that contribute massively to the popularity that corn husk has attained as a rolling paper alternative. Jamaicans, in particular, are big fans of corn husks. Because corn husks will work for both tobacco and weed, they are a versatile option.
7. Rose Petals
We must warn you this is a very time-consuming method. Sure, it is a great rolling paper alternative, but you will have to show exemplary patience before you can enjoy the benefits of a rose petal joint. Read on if you are in for a grind!
First of all, you need to collect enough rose petals that can be molded into a joint. Then, you have to glue them together in one structure. The last step is that of weed filling; you need to be extra careful in this step so that the fragility of the rose petals is not compromised. If you have passed all of these stages, you are all set to experience the amazingness of rose petals.
Two distinctive features of a rose petal joint? They smell incredible, and their color is simply incredible! We know some of you are wondering why we have added them to this list of rolling paper alternatives. Well, there is a high chance that you can pluck a few roses from a garden nearby. So there you are. Pluck a-rose-when-you-are-out-of-paper!
8. Hot Knives
Hot knives are yet another popular theme to follow when the world is a little short on rolling paper. We see some raised eyebrows, and we get you! We are considering knives because we believe that weed trips are just not about weed. You are bound to eat at some point as well. Knives are a common feature of any kitchen’s cutlery. Hence, they find a place in this list of rolling paper alternatives.
So, how can you use a knife to your advantage? You need two knives. Make sure that they have wooden or plastic handles. Heat the knives to the extent that they show a red tinge. In the next step, you should place the herbs on the blade and then squeeze them with the second knife. Precautionary measures must be taken when you are dealing with knives. You can easily burn or injure yourself.
9. Brown Paper Bags
Not the most appealing option; we are with you on this one! But when rolling paper fails to do the trick, you can always consider brown paper bags. Using brown paper bags to your advantage is quite easy as well. All that you have to do is cut a piece from the brown paper bag per the size of your rolling paper. Then twist it and fill it.
Brown paper bags are perhaps the easiest item on this list that you can lay your hands on. They are available at almost every shopping center and at very cheap rates as well. One precaution that you do have to take, however, is that you must be careful as you light up the weed since you will be holding the whole apparatus.
10. A Leaf
We know it says a leaf, but you just cannot use any leaf from any tree. Many plants can have a very toxic effect on your body. You are better off staying away from the leaves and fruits of these plants. Poison ivy is a terrible idea, and so is any leaf torn from the nightshade plants!
But there are certain leaves that you can use to your advantage. Some of these leaves include leaves from peppers and green veggies. Leaves are an excellent option since they are everywhere and are a natural alternative to rolling papers. However, you will have a tough time making the leaves stick together. But hey, if you are patient enough, you have just discovered another alternative to rolling papers! A leaf is certainly one of the best alternatives to rolling paper as long as you’re careful.
11. Cigar Casing
We will recommend you consider this option only if there is someone in your group of weed lovers who has a case of cigars ready at home. Or are you a cigar lover yourself? Anyhow, the reason why we show reluctance is that cigars are super expensive compared to rolling papers. Cigar cases are a different case, though. Great if you can lay your hands on some empty ones!
There are multiple perks that you are likely to get with cigar cases. For one, they are delicious. For another, they allow the intense experience that every cannabis lover craves. And lastly, it is much easier to make a giant roll. Your day will be spent in a grand manner if you can work out the perfect combination between your weed and cigar case.
12. Dictionary Pages
We are strictly against using newspaper or printer paper as a rolling paper alternative. You will find the exact reasons for our reservations in the later stages of this discussion. But for now, we are going to give you another alternative along the same lines. We are talking about the dictionary pages!
But wait a minute. We are not talking about these modern-day dictionaries, which have pages coated in weird chemicals and inks of all sorts. No, we are talking about the old dictionaries, the editions from the past, which probably no one reads anymore. It is a pity but well, you can still find a benefit from them for yourself! The thing about old dictionary editions is that the majority of them are not bleached. Bleach is exactly the reason why we don’t like newspapers either as a rolling paper alternative.
Other than using dictionary pages, you can also use pages from Yellow Books from the past. The information on them is already outdated. These pages are yet another great alternative to rolling papers.
13. The Inverted Pen Method
Now, we are not sure what the odds on you carrying a pen on your weed excursion are, but well things can improve dramatically if you do have one in your pocket. A pen with a metal tip can lighten up the mood considerably if you are short on rolling papers, here is how exactly.
In the first step, you will need to disassemble all pieces of the metal pen in your pocket. Next, take the unscrewed metal cap. Flip it, and thereby insert the narrow tip into the pen’s shaft. The objective here is to create a seal. Now put the weed that you are carrying in your pocket into the pen’s cap. Think of your cap as a bowl! Once you press your lips against the pen, all that you have got to do is light up the weed and inhale! Bingo, you are done.
The inverted pen method is yet another fine alternative to rolling papers. Of course, if you are not used to using pen caps as a weed-smoking apparatus, you are bound to hit the bump a few times. But hey, desperate times call for innovative measures!
The Not-So-Easily Accessible Alternatives
In the following lines of this discussion, we are going to talk about some of the rolling paper alternatives that are very effective in creating the desired effect but are not our number-one choice for multiple reasons. Some of these reasons include ease of access and costs. You can consider them in case your luck is extremely bad and you are unable to find an already-discussed alternative to rolling papers.
14. Bongs
Bongs are considered an effective medium for getting high as compared to other means of smoking. Bongs offer a greater and instant high as compared to glass pipes because of their chamber. They can induce a high in just one to two hits. This is not the case with the glass pipes, which require a much more sustained effort. Analyzing a bong tells us that it has a water chamber and a bowl. This is the construction of a simple bong; there are many complicated types of bongs available in the market.
What are the key features of an ideal hit? Filtered & Smooth. That’s the goal, right? Well, bongs are popular among cannabis smokers because they offer an ideal hit, just like that. This is made possible as the smoke passes through a water chamber. The chances that you will cough or suffer from infections are extremely low if you do everything by the book and clean your bong properly.
But are they an easily available alternative to the rolling paper? That is not the case; we are afraid. Two factors are working against the bongs. One that they are extremely bulky. Yes, they are portable, but at the same time, the weight is just too much to carry as compared to some of the other smoking devices. Also, a premium quality bong is likely to cost you a neat amount of bucks. A lot more than what you might have had in mind and wallet for rolling papers! Hence, despite their effectiveness and ideal user experience, bongs are not a rolling paper alternative that you will just find lying around on the beach.
15. Chillums
Also known as the one-hitters, chillums work on the general principle of suction. The prominent part of a chillum comprises the mouthpiece, chamber, bowl, and down stem. To hold and light the weed, a smoker presses his lips on the mouthpiece of chillum. As the weed lights and burns, the emitted smoke moves to the chamber part of the chillum. Down-stem plays the role of a filter in most chillums.
Chillum pipe plays a pivotal role in its functioning, which is a simple cylinder used to place dry herb on one end and mouthpiece on the other as soon as the user lights the bowl of a chillum, herbs kick-off. After the smoke is formed, it is sucked by the user into the airway below the chillum bowl. The quantity of smoke formed depends on how the user pulls. This manner varies among different smokers. Some smokers like to go hard, while others are comfortable with soft pulls. Ideally, it is advisable to pull as slowly as possible. The reasons for pulling slowly are that, in the first place, you will be allowing more smoke to be formed, and secondly, enough time for filtration will be allowed.
Again, just like bongs, chillums are another effective method of consuming cannabis. But there are serious issues with using chillum as an alternative to the rolling papers. For one, they are just not the kind of medium you should consider for a party, chillums are ideal for single-person use. Also, chillums are a decent option for micro-dosing. But if you have something planned in your mind, then we are afraid you will have to look past a fancy hookah.
16. Vape Pens
There is no doubt that vape pens offer a very different experience as compared to smoking devices. Instead of lighting up your world, vape pens work by drawing vaporized nicotine liquids or cannabis oils. It is this novelty, this subtlety, that has made vape pens such a popular pick among the youth of today. Their basic mechanism of function is just like a cigarette. Automatic activation as you draw is their distinctive feature.
Vape pens are at the peak of their popularity these days. But are they the alternative that everyone should consider in case they run out of the rolling papers? We are not entirely sure about that. While it is true that vape pen shops are working in most cities, you can still struggle to find them in your immediate locality on very short notice. Also, the experience is nothing like rolling up a joint. That feeling alone is something many cannabis smokers would rather die for! Also, the variety of vape devices can be mind-boggling at times. You will probably have to read up a lot about vape pods, vape pens, E-cigs, and box pods before you can go out shopping for them. Now that is a lot of work as compared to just paying dollar bills for rolling papers which you know will always work!
17. Water Gravity Pipes
The coolest bit about water gravity pipes is that you can make them yourself as well. Of course, we cannot guarantee that you will find all the needed materials just lying around you. But consider these materials for a minute. A two-liter bottle, a one-liter bottle, a paper clip, and tin foil. Oh, and you are going to need a knife or scissors as well.
Now that we are on the subject let us explain how you can make a water gravity pipe in no time. First of all, you have to cut the one-liter bottle from the bottom. A two-inch cut ought to do the trick. Now fill this bottle with water. Then, cut a hole in the one-liter bottle’s lid. Remember the tin foil that we mentioned earlier? Using that, cover this bottle. In the next step, you will need to create a few holes in this wrapped tin foil. Then, push the one-liter bottle into the bigger bottle that you filled with water earlier. Here, the trick is to ensure that the top remains above water.
Once you have done all of that, it is time to twist the cap, then place weed on what seems like a bowl. It is time to light the cannabis. Once the smoke has filled the bottle, it is time to lift the bottle and remove the bowl once you feel like you are ready for a hit. Depressing the bottle properly as you inhale is the key trick here! We know we have made it sound like an extremely easy job, but this can take a few shots before you get it right.
Avoid Doing This: Top 3 NOT To Use As Rolling Papers
Throughout this discussion, we have talked about what you can do if you are out of rolling papers. Now, let us talk about some of the things that you shouldn’t do if you are a little short on the rolling paper. You can be tempted to try out a few desperate tricks if you are craving a hit. Here are some of the common mistakes made by people in such desperate times:
Printer Paper
On the face of it, printer papers appear to be a pretty cool replacement for commonly used rolling papers. Or at least they appear to be! But printer papers are the last option on earth that you should consider in case you run out of the rolling papers or any of the alternatives that we have talked about in this discussion. The reason is their bleached nature. The reason why a printing paper is so white is that it is bleached to give it that characteristic look that is associated with printing papers, the white immaculate look. Now we don’t know if you already know this or not, but bleached rolling papers are available in the market as well. So while you are staying clear of the bleached printer papers, we would advise you to be careful and stay away from the bleached rolling papers as well. It only makes sense!
Newspaper
The case of the newspaper is not very different from that of printer paper. Except, it is an even worse option to consider than printer paper. The reason for this is that a newspaper is treated with a plethora of chemicals before it attains its characteristic shine and sheen. These chemicals are an essential addition to increasing the readability of printed words. However, the effect that they would have on your throat is simply disastrous. The burning sensation is just too harsh to put into words! What is more, these chemicals can make you feel super dizzy as well. Hence if you opt for a piece of newspaper as your rolling medium, not only do you ruin your experience, but you also expose yourselves to a plethora of health hazards. Not a very sane choice, one would say!
Toilet Paper
There are two reasons why toilet paper is never a great alternative to rolling paper. One, it doesn’t work. Second, it is just gross. We suppose one could always compromise on the second factor if the craving for a hit was just too high. But then one has to consider the first factor as well. Again, there are two key reasons why tissue papers are never going to be in the same league as other rolling paper alternatives. One, the consistency is nowhere close to the one offered by rolling papers. Second, the flavor is rarely great. It just doesn’t feel right, what do you say? Spending some extra resources in finding the most suitable rolling paper is worth it if the only option you are left with is tissue paper.
TLDR: Best Rolling Paper Replacements
- There are ways to consume weed without using standard rolling papers, and stoners are just figuring that out.
- Use creative ideas like apple pipes, foil pipes, empty soda can tubes, gum wrappers, and empty cigarettes.
- If you have access to it, use bongs, vape pens, and chillums.
- Avoid using printed paper, newspaper, and toilet paper at all costs.
That would be all from this discussion. We wish we could have gone one a bit more, but the limitations of time and space force us to wrap up this debate here. Of course, one cannot rule out a scenario in which you don’t have access to any of the abovementioned alternatives. What do you do in such a situation? Well, one thing that we can advise you to refrain from doing is taking a desperate step.
Rolling a joint without rolling paper or its alternatives! We know the hit craving is intense, but we also want your hits to be worth something. So, waiting it out until you can purchase some rolling paper is the best strategy to adopt. Well, with these words of advice, we bid you farewell from this space for now.