notebook and pencil on a desk

You have your cannabis ready to go and your lighter by your side, but as you go to pull out the last rolling paper, you realize there's nothing left. That's when you have to be quick on your feet and use the list below to try one of the rolling paper alternatives that will get your session started.

Here's a look at what you can use as rolling paper that will still get the job done.

Glass Pipes

When your rolling papers have finally run out, there's a quick and easy solution you can use by getting yourself a glass pipe. Glass pipes are a great tool for smoking cannabis and will give you a smooth experience all the way through.

The best way to use your glass pipe is by packing it with a finely ground bud, placing your lips on the mouthpiece, then lighting up the herb. This allows you to inhale smoke easily while giving yourself good airflow, and there is even a carburetor for most pipes.

That means that when you're about done inhaling, you can open up the carburetor on the side of the pipe, and it will bring in some additional airflow as you inhale to help you get the smoke deep inside your lungs for the full experience.

Glass pipes are great rolling paper alternatives because you don’t need to know how to roll up. All you need to do is grind up the bud and sprinkle it into the pipe. Then when you’re done, simply dump the ash into an ashtray or trash can and go on about your day. Glass pipes are usually relatively cheap (unless you want something more substantial). Plus, you can often find them at any gas station or corner store. So next time you’re looking for new rolling paper alternatives, consider picking one up.

Flower Vapes

Vaporizers are able to heat up using convection methods so that there's no actual fire needed. Instead, just load up your dry herb vape and then push the button to start inhaling. So if you want to know what you can use as a rolling paper alternative that doesn’t require a lighter, vapes are the way to go.

Vapes also make great alternatives to anything that needs to be rolled because they are easier to smoke indoors. Rolling up with classic cone rolling papers is great when you have the space and freedom to smoke as you please, but sometimes you may want to indulge somewhere more private and don’t want to create too much smoke.

Vaporizers don’t produce second hand smoke the way that joints do, which makes them ideal rolling paper alternatives. They do emit a slight odor, but it’s usually much less pungent. So if you’re looking for something clean and easy you can use in the comfort of your own home, vapes are the way to go.

Vapes are also much cleaner than needing to load bowl after bowl in a glass pipe, and they are easy to maintain and quicker to get the session started compared to rolling papers.

They are, however, a little more expensive, so you'll want to save just a little before getting yourself a high-quality vape for when the papers run out.

Thin Notebook Paper

While not as reliable as the other methods, if you're in a pinch and you have no other options, then notebook paper is what you can use as rolling paper.

You can use it just like normal rolling papers, but the smoking experience will be a bit different since you're using something that isn’t designed for smoking. What this means is that it won't burn as evenly as rolling papers would, so you might have to do some adjusting and relighting if you go this route. It will probably be a lot harsher, too, since the paper will probably be thicker than the rolling paper you're used to. But notebooks can make good rolling paper alternatives if you’ve exhausted your other options.

It also won’t have a glue strip on the other end to hold it together, so you’ll have to improvise. If you have an envelope, you can lick the adhesive strip and then try to dab some of the glue on the edge of the notebook paper, then try to roll it up quickly before it dries. This may be tricky but will make it easier to roll.

Just be careful with the type of paper you choose. Regular paper is likely too thick and will hurt your lungs. You’ll want to try to find paper that is as thin as possible - similar to the consistency of a phone book page. Also try to avoid anything with ink in it, because it could have toxins that may be dangerous to inhale.

Avoid using Notebook paper as a rolling paper alternative unless you have no other option. It’s always a better experience when you use cone rolling paper or something designed for smoking. But if you are desperate and need to know what you can use as rolling paper ASAP, any thin paper can make a substitute.

Empty Cigarette

Woman lighting cigarette

This one only works if you're already a cigarette smoker but if you want to know what you can use as rolling paper, empty cigarettes are perfect.

There are a few ways you can do this, but one of the easiest is to take off the filter and pack in your ground cannabis tightly. Then use a lighter to heat up the end that's not stuffed with weed and start puffing away. Cigarettes make great rolling paper alternatives because they can be smoked just like a joint.

You can also keep the filter on and empty the other part of the cigarette so that you can eventually stuff it with cannabis. This takes a bit of precision, because you’ll want to avoid breaking the paper. You’ll want to grind the bud up as fine as possible and begin dropping in pinches little by little. You may also want to look for a paper clip or another thin object so you have something to push the bud into the cylinder.

This method can often be pretty tedious and you may not get an even burn if there are air pockets in between the buds. It’s harder than packing cone rolling papers because the opening is only so big and you must be careful to pack it evenly. Also be aware that you may get a bit of tobacco in the mix. But if you enjoy spliffs and you need fast rolling paper alternatives, empty cigarettes are the perfect solution. Just make sure you have somewhere to dump the excess tobacco.

Hot Knives

This method is a little tricky because you don't want to get burned, but you can actually heat up a knife using some kind of fire source and then place your cannabis on top to start burning off the THC. But, this is another classic rolling paper alternative using household items.

You might need two knives in order to squish the cannabis to get the maximum surface of heat and burn as much THC as possible so that you can get a pull.

Just be careful because you'll have to get your mouth close to the knives in order to inhale all the smoke coming off the blade. You may want to look up a few tutorials before you dive into this method because you don’t want to hurt yourself. But if you’re in a tough spot and don’t have any other rolling paper alternatives, this can work.

Fruits

Rolling Paper Alternative

Believe it or not, hard fruits like apples and pears can make great rolling paper alternatives as long as you do a little digging. You can turn it into a makeshift pipe and plant the bud right into the fruit.

Start at the core of the apple and, using a knife or pen, make a hole all the way to the middle of the fruit. Then, on one of the sides of the apple, make another hole that reaches all the way to the middle of the apple. Also make sure to create a small hole on the side where your thumb would go to create a carb and let the air flow through.

If you did it right, you should have a perfectly aligned tunnel where you can place your cannabis at one end and inhale from the other to make a rolling paper alternative that also tastes great. The best part is it’s completely biodegradable.

Corn Husk

Here is a rolling paper alternative that is completely natural and poses no real threat to your everyday health. It’s what you can use as rolling paper when you have some extra corn laying around. You can use the husk to create your own natural cone rolling paper.

Native Americans have been known to use this nifty trick to roll their cigarettes, and you can use it to roll your own cannabis joints. Corn husks have been used as rolling paper alternatives for centuries, so you shouldn’t have much trouble. The husk is a little harsher to smoke than if you were using really thick papers, but this method definitely gets the job done.

Alternate Rolling Papers

If you’re wondering what you can use for rolling paper, there are plenty of options you can employ if you've run out of your favorite brand. Some will be more durable while others are convenient by taking everyday items and transforming them into something you can smoke from. Any of these rolling paper alternatives can help save the day when you’ve used up your last paper and don’t have time to grab another pack.

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Infographic about rolling paper alternatives