The urge to light a blunt can be too strong at times, especially as a regular smoker. But what do you do when there is no cigar – not even one to tide you over? You could go to the nearest store to pick up a pack, or as some people did, roll one using a sheet of notebook paper.

It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that rolling a blunt with notebook paper is, more or less, the same as using cigar wrap. An exemption is that you can’t lick and seal the way you could with a tobacco wrapper. Then again, you’re in a pinch, so it will have to do.

Actually, before you even think about doing that, there are things that you need to know first.

Should You Use Notebook Paper To Roll A Blunt?

First of all, rolling a blunt is the same as a joint except for the wrapper. Whereas joints use rolling papers, typically similar to cigarette papers, a blunt uses tobacco wrapper taken from a cigar. Hence, by substituting with notebook paper, then whatever you rolled is anything but a blunt – technically.

Roll A Blunt
Rolling blunt with notebook paper

There are also some important things to consider concerning health risks.

1. Chemicals Used In Making The Paper

Often, the paper is bleached, and some of the chemical residues might remain. Not only that, but there is no one way to make paper. Although the principle remains the same, there are variations to the techniques. It also means that there are a plethora of chemicals – other than bleach – used.

A quick check tells us that there are over 40 compounds that could possibly be used. Not all at the same time, of course. Nonetheless, notebook papers are not meant for human ingestion. You could expect that once combusted, some of those compounds may produce toxic by-products. You may not be inhaling nicotine – as is the case with cigar wraps – but you do inhale substances other than cannabinoids.

Common sense dictates that the risk of inhaling toxic fumes is not worth it, considering there are other methods of consumption when in a pinch. If you have a piece of apple – go ahead and make a pipe out of it, for example. If not a blunt, the make a joint – rolling papers are so cheap that you ought to keep some for emergency purposes.

2. Don’t Forget The Ink

Some people who have tried to roll weed using notebook paper would only use the top portion where there is at least an inch of space before the first line. That makes sense. Dried ink is yet another chemical that may add to toxic fumes. And if you are to do that, then you have to work with a pretty much small sheet – allowing you to roll a thin joint – or blunt, if you prefer to call it that.

3. Rapid Burn Rate

Before the dried herb burns up, the notebook paper would be first. As such, you end up wasting valuable herbs. Just for this reason alone, it is better to go to a store and buy some cigars.

4. Smoke Is Harsh

Have you ever smelled a burning sheet of notebook paper? Before you start to make a blunt out of it, try to burn and smell the smoke. Are you sure that is what you want to inhale into your lungs? One thing is for sure if you are to try it, expect to have coughing fits as the smoke produced is harsh. Meanwhile, the coughing motion and your hands shaking are going to make some of the dried herbs fall out more.

How Do You Roll A Blunt Using Notebook Paper

If there is no other choice, and you understand that you are probably going to inhale some toxic chemicals as a result of burning notebook paper, then go ahead. Make one – that is your choice.

Typically, you would take out a sheet of paper and cut to approximately the size of a King size rolling paper. That should be around 100-110mm x 55-60mm. In the imperial system, that should be around 4-1/4″ x 2-1/4″.

Unlike cigar wrap, which already has a curve, you will want to roll the paper, creating a curve to catch the weed. Then, fill it up, pack, and roll. You could try to wet the edges to help create a seal, it is doubtful that it will adhere as well as cigar wraps do.

If you wish to, you could also fashion a crutch using an index card or business card. Considering the fast burn rate of notebook paper, maybe that helps keep your finger or lips from getting burned as it sort of serves as a gap or spacer. For more information about rolling blunts or anything relating to cannabis, check out Weed Insider for more information. Their website can be found here: https://weedinsider.ca/ 

The Original Wrap Is Better

There is no study on the effects of smoking using notebook paper – and for a good reason too. Not only is it a bad idea, but there are also plenty of alternatives that eliminate it from being considered for use.

Smoke a blunt
Smoke a blunt using a notebook paper

Any other wrapper material, then what you are doing, is a makeshift joint. If you are so keen, then use an unbleached paper. Generally, avoid white papers because they are most likely bleached. Avoid colored ones, too, as they have chemical colorants. Also, the thinner the paper, the better it is, too, as it contains fewer chemicals than thick ones.

The most prudent thing to do is to hold off a bit until you could buy some cigars. Even at odd times, there are convenience stores that may sell tobacco. Although the brands may not be what is generally recommended in the cannabis community, they are still tobacco leaves, and you are making a blunt – after all.