RAW Rolling Papers: A 2024 Buyer's Guide

An in-depth review of RAW rolling papers, pre-rolled cones, and accessories.
Author: Clyde Jenkins

If you enjoy the roll-your-own (RYO) lifestyle, then you know that few things are worse than getting a paper that is difficult to roll or leaves the harsh aftertaste of chlorine. Given that rolling papers can significantly improve or undercut your weed smoking experience, you want to make sure you pick a good one. But, with so many options available online, including many sub-par varieties, a quality brand can seem elusive.

If you’re on the hunt for the best rolling papers on the market, check out this comprehensive review of RAW rolling papers, a brand that has made a name for itself as a natural option for a smooth smoke. Find out, once and for all, whether RAW papers really do live up to the hype.

About the RAW Brand of Rolling Papers

RAW is owned by HBI International, a leading U.S. manufacturer, wholesaler, and distributor of rolling papers and rolling paper accessories. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, the company offers a range of RYO goods, including the RAW line. HBI International has a lot of clout in the cannabis market with additional product lines that include Herbal Bar, Juicy Jays, and Rolling Supreme.

RAW launched in 2005 and is now one of the most familiar rolling paper names around. It has a cult-like fan base for several reasons. First, RAW stands out in the rolling paper industry by being additive-free. RAW Rolling Papers do not contain any chemicals (like chlorine) or preservatives that you find in a lot of brands today. This is why the brand appeals to someone looking for a pure weed-smoking experience.

Watch: A brief history of RAW rolling papers

Also, the brand has a big social media presence – including 1.7 million followers on Instagram and 28,500 on Twitter as of 2019. This makes it difficult to ignore RAW’s presence online.

RAW is known for its community spirit, too. The RAW Foundation funds several projects worldwide, including in the Philippines and Ethiopia, that focus on human equality and helping others in need. In 2012, for example, RAW donated $10,000 to the non-profit Wine To Water to help build water wells and educate needy populations on proper sanitation procedures.

These factors really set RAW apart from its competitors in the rolling paper industry. The brand is also easily identifiable by appearance.

The Unique Look of RAW Papers

Take a look at any RAW rolling paper and the first thing you’ll notice is that they’re not bright white like other paper brands. The reason for this is that RAW papers don’t contain the whitening agent chlorine.

RAW Classic papers are light brown because they contain only natural materials. As for RAW Organic Hemp papers, they are significantly lighter in appearance than Classic; the Organic papers are a tan color, with the exact shade depending on the color of the hemp used to create them. While both the Classic and Organic are thin, the Organic papers are even more so – to the extent that they are almost transparent.

Another distinctive element is the criss-cross watermark on the papers. RAW’s patented watermark encourages an even burn and reduces the risks of runs, which makes for a smooth smoke. When smoking either type, the papers burn slowly, giving you time to reach a peaceful state.

RAW rolling papers are made by artisans in Alcoy, Spain. The pure Acacia gum on the papers is hand-harvested in Ethiopia and Senegal from Acacia trees.

RAW brand makes two main kinds of rolling papers: Classic and Organic.

RAW Classic Rolling Papers

RAW Classic comes in many varieties, including regular, creaseless, and rolls. Their classic interleaved papers are made from a unique blend of unbleached fibers and use natural gum. They are 100 percent natural and watermarked for an even burn and less opportunity for runs. The taste is clean and pure, regardless of the size and design. In other words, you taste the weed rather than the paper.

RAW Classic Regular

The Classic Regular come unfolded and flat. RAW has all of the common sizes:

The RAW Classic Single Wide is popular, although some smokers prefer 1 1/4 as it is longer and wider than SW. If you want to go wider than 1 1/4 but retain the 1 1/4 length, then the 1 1/2in size will be right for you. As for KSS, its slim design is great for an easier roll and handling without compromising potency.

Buy Online: RAW Classic Natural Rolling Papers (Amazon)

RAW Classic Black

If you like RAW Classic papers but enjoy delicately thin rolling papers, you should definitely give RAW Classic Black papers a try. Black RAW papers are the thinnest paper the company has ever made. They’re so thin, in fact, that there’s no worry about the flavor of burning paper getting in the way of the enjoyment of the beautiful terps in your cannabis.

RAW Black papers are made from 100 percent all-natural plant fibers and natural tree sap gum. They come in a few different sizes:

Although RYO enthusiasts will love the slow, clean burn of Black RAW papers, they aren’t recommended for those who aren’t skilled at hand-rolling due to their thinness. If you’re looking for a rolling paper that imparts next-to-no taste and a superfine smoke, definitely give RAW Black papers a try.

Buy Online: RAW Classic Black Rolling Papers (Amazon)

RAW Classic Creaseless

If creaseless papers are what you prefer to use when rolling cannabis, you can find them at RAW. Creaseless papers enable you to create your own fold precisely where you want it. The rolling papers are interleaved, made of natural gum, watermarked, and totally natural.

The four options are:

Admittedly, RAW Classic Creaseless may be difficult for a beginner to roll, but cannabis connoisseurs shouldn’t have any issues with these papers. RYO enthusiasts will also appreciate that no paper is wasted in the roll, and you won’t taste the paper the way that you might with brands that contain harsh chemicals.

As with RAW Classic Regular, the creaseless papers contain a mixture of unbleached fibers for a less-processed version of rolling papers than competitors. Just be careful not to wet the papers too much as the glue might come off; some users describe the glue as being fragile. However, if you are a purist AND you want to be able to create your own shape as you roll up the natural paper, then you’ll love RAW Classic Creaseless papers.

The prices of all three Classic Creaseless packs are competitive, especially when you take into account that they are additive-free, which helps give you a clean taste. The creaseless rolling papers all have RAW’s signature cross-weave pattern that helps keep your smoke burning even and slow.

Buy Online: RAW Classic Creaseless Rolling Papers (Amazon)

RAW Classic Natural Paper Rolls

If you regularly smoke weed, you may want to stock up on RAW rolls. The benefit of choosing rolls over pre-cut RAW papers is that you can roll them into any paper size you want at the time. When you want to roll more weed into your joint, simply tear off a bigger size. The Classic rolls come in Single Wide and King Size sizes.

The options are:

As with the other Classic papers, the rolls have RAW’s criss-cross weave that helps prevent runs and gives you an even, pure smoking experience. The paper is ultra-thin, and there is no wasting it because you choose the perfect size every time.

Buy Online: RAW Classic Natural Paper Rolls (Amazon)

RAW Organic Hemp Papers

Now that you know about RAW Classic, it’s time to compare it to the other kind of paper in the RAW lineup of products: RAW Organic Hemp Papers. The word “organic,” in this context, refers to the absence of pesticides or toxic non-natural fertilizers in the growing process, according to the RAW website. If you are a purist, this will likely appeal to you. Organic papers come in regular, creaseless, and rolls.

Organic Regular

For Organic Regular, choose from:

The RAW Organic papers are soft, making them easy to roll. They have a slightly waxy feel that can take some adjusting to in your roll-your-own routine.

The light color of each rolling paper shows that it is made of chlorine-free pure hemp and processed in an eco-friendly way. Even the gum is 100 percent natural on these papers. Every paper has RAW’s patented criss-cross watermark to help prevent runs and create a smooth burn. The lightweight interweaved paper burns extra slow too, whether you buy RAW Organic Single Wide, Organic 1 1/4, Organic 1 1/2, or Organic King Size Slim.

A safe choice is the popular Single Wide if you want to try Organic for the first time. But if your preference is for a longer and wider paper than SW, then the 1 1/4 would likely be the better choice. As for KSS, it will be significantly longer than the SW and 1 1/4 sizes, giving you a bigger hit.

Buy Online: RAW Organic Hemp Rolling Papers (Amazon)

RAW Organic Creaseless

A great advantage of RAW organic hemp creaseless rolling papers is that you can shape them however you want. The papers come completely flat and without a crease down the middle.

When buying RAW Organic Creaseless papers, you have a single option:

Organic Creaseless papers are very thin. The lightness of RAW paper enables air to pass easily through the joint for a leisurely burn and enjoyable toking session.

Eco-savvy consumers will appreciate that the all-natural hemp papers are grown without the use of harsh chemicals or toxins. Obviously, an additional benefit is that smokers won’t inhale any chemicals. For a regular smoker or someone who wants to take a green approach to their weed-smoking, there are no worries about ingesting unsafe materials.

RAW Organic Hemp Rolls

Each RAW Organic Hemp Roll has nine feet of genuine watermarked paper. If you like being able to select your own size of rolling paper, then these rolls will be of interest to you. The paper is lightweight, thin, and organically grown. There are no chemicals in the rolls.

At the time of this review, the only size of Organic roll available is RAW Organic King Size Slim 5M Roll. The roll is non-GMO and the gum is natural. The original watermark on the thin paper helps you sidestep any pesky runs and extends the length of the smoke. Be gentle as you roll, though, or you may rip the fragile paper. If you find that the gum isn’t sticking as you finish the roll, try adding a little saliva to the gum line to improve it.

Once you have the joint successfully rolled and in your hand, you will notice that the paper is so thin that it is almost see-through. Being able to see the cannabis within the paper is a fun feature. It would be nice if there was as much selection in RAW Organic Rolls as the Classic versions.

RAW Organic vs RAW Classic Papers: How are They Different?

While both RAW Organic and RAW Classic are natural choices for rolling paper, the main difference between them is that the Organic kind is made of hemp while the Classic contains unbleached fibers. Classic is unrefined, while Organic grows in an eco-friendly manner.

Another difference is in the rolling stage: fans of the Classic papers insist they have a smoother roll than Organic. Meanwhile, supporters of the Organic variety say that they simply burn better than Classic.

As earlier mentioned, they look slightly different, with RAW Organic being a lighter shade of brown than RAW Classic. The Organic sheets are thinner than the Classic – to the extent that they are semi-translucent.

Regarding taste, some smokers claim that RAW Organic has a harsher taste than RAW Classic, while other smokers find no difference in flavor between the two. With both varieties, RAW enthusiasts say that they’re happy to no longer have to ingest harsh chemicals any longer when they smoke marijuana.

For some cannabis lovers, there is no clear preference between RAW Organic or RAW Classic and they simply choose the one with a better sale price. Other smokers stick to one over the other simply because of their familiarity with it. Given this feedback, it may be a trial-and-error experience for you to find which of the two rolling paper types you prefer from this brand.

RAW Classic & Organic Pre-Rolled Cones

When you do not want to hand-roll the paper either because it’s time-consuming or because you don’t know the proper technique, RAW pre-rolled cones are a great solution. They come already rolled for you on RAW’s unique watermarked, thin paper. All you have to do is fill them with weed, twist off the ends, and light them.

The smoking experience with these cones is similar to RAW papers you hand-roll. The cones are in high demand, especially after recent public endorsements by superstars like Wiz Khalifa, Rihanna, and Rick Ross. This means you may have to be patient if and when they are sold out.

RAW Pre-Rolled Cones Sizes:

The cones come in Classic and Organic in a wide range of sizes. If you want Classic 1 1/4 cones, you can go for the quarter six-pack that has six cones per pack and 32 packs per box. You might also decide to buy the KS 32-pack that has 32 King Size cones per box. If you envision many smokes ahead, then you might opt for the affordable 800 Bulk KS pack that has 800 King Size cones per box. While this review doesn’t contain every pack type, there are a lot of choices available.

Buy Online: RAW Pre Rolled Cones (Amazon)

RAW Classic & Organic Connoisseur Packs

The Connoisseur packs in Classic and Organic include everything you need for rolling joints. Every pack includes genuine RAW rolling papers in the chosen Classic or Organic variety, RAW unrefined tips, and an outer sleeve. As always, the papers are interleaved and watermarked to enrich your smoking session.

The options are:

One more noteworthy item: the RAW Connoisseur packaging is environmentally-friendly. Each package is eco-crafted and printed using a special Japanese thermography process. Even the rubber band that binds the Connoisseur pack is natural. Cannabis lovers certainly appreciate RAW’s dedication to reducing its impact on the Earth as much as possible!

Buy Online: RAW Connoisseur Packs (Amazon)

RAW Artesano Packs

If you’re intrigued by the idea of rolling paper packs, you might want to step it up a notch with RAW Artesano. The pack has Classic papers, tips, and a pop-out spring-loaded rolling tray. In other words, it’s similar to the Classic Connoisseur but with the addition of the tray.

The options are:

Buy Online: RAW Artesano Packs (Amazon)

What about RAW Tips?

As you would expect from RAW, their tips are natural and unrefined. The tips are designed to prevent wasting any marijuana by giving you a spacer at the end of the joint. They are much easier to use than ripping off bits of business cards. Besides, business cards can release potentially dangerous toxins when ignited because of the dye and other materials in the paper.

RAW offers a large selection of tips, including original, wide, pre-rolled, and gummed. There are also tips specially-made for their cones (pre-rolled, Perfecto, and Maestro versions). When you want a natural way to roll on the go, RAW tips are great. They are affordable, easier (and healthier) than makeshift tips, extend your weed further, and reduce rolling time.

Buy Online: RAW Tips (Amazon)

Analysis of RAW Rolling Accessories

Storage

Once you have a collection of rolling papers, tips, and other supplies, where should you store them? A beautiful RAW wood box works wonderfully to keep it all conveniently in one place. If you are frequently on the go, this box is well worth the money. The lid sits in place with magnets, so don’t worry about the lid coming off if it gets moved by accident. For a more deluxe option, check out the RAW RYO (Roll Your Own) Box.

The RAW RYO box is made of hardwood, has custom design etching on top, and the lid sits in place with four magnets. Inside the box are three sections to help organize your RAW papers, tips, herbs, and more. If a box is not your ideal container or you want something a little smaller, use the reusable metal RAW Metal Tin, RAW Traveler, or RAW Smoking Wallet instead. Also, if you want to keep your RAW rolling papers safe and sturdy, their Paper Case is a good investment.

Buy Online: RAW Storage Boxes (Amazon)

Grinders & Shredders

In 2024, a nice shredder or grinder is a must-have item for a majority of smokers. A good shredder eliminates the hassle of cutting up your cannabis with scissors and shreds herbs into pieces before you smoke it. RAW has many diferent shredders and grinders to choose from.

The RAW Shredder Card is convenient for carrying in your purse or wallet. It is also dishwasher safe for an easy clean. Some users say it is overpriced for what it is, while others say it is great on the go (versus carrying a bulky grinder).

Trays

RAW carries several rolling trays, including the RAW Limited Edition Black Gold Tray with rounded corners and a strong body. It is not flimsy like some competitors’ trays but instead has durability that any cannabis roll-your-own aficionado will appreciate.

The large tray can fit your grinder, papers, and other must-have tools or accessories. It is not as portable as the RAW Small or Mini Trays, so it all depends on your needs – including how much space you have available to you. The big advantage of the large tray over the smaller versions is that everything stays contained within it, which is handy.

RAW also makes a Triple Flip Foldable Bamboo Rolling Tray with Built-in Ashtray. If you buy the Bamboo Rolling Tray, you’ll immediately notice the four carved round holes for your grinder, lighter, tin, or whatever else you want to put in them. The main surface is for rolling, including a central magnet to prevent the tray from moving around as you roll cigs, and there are two slots underneath for RAW papers. The design is well thought out and makes for efficient rolling.

Buy Online: RAW Rolling Trays (Amazon)

Other Accessories

Additional RAW accessories include the RAW Pipe, RAW Rolling Machines (rollers), Rolling Mat, Hemp Wick, Cone Maker, Parchment Paper, and more. Each RAW roller contains hemp plastic and has undergone an environmentally-friendly cold-injection process; this special process helps ensure you get a roller that will last longer than an ordinary plastic one. RAW rollers are made on Kudos Island, Indonesia, whereas many cheaper alternatives come from China.

As you can tell from the number of RAW accessories available, RAW offers a comprehensive lineup to accompany its rolling papers. When you buy everything you need for the rolling experience from one brand, you can be confident that all items work well together. In the case of RAW, you are behaving in an environmentally-responsible manner, too.

Buy Online: RAW Smoking Accessories (Amazon)

Final Impressions of RAW

When it comes to RAW rolling products, many cannabis consumers are impressed by the overall product quality, from the rolling papers to tips, cones, and accessories. RAW is an excellent option for a purist, a person who wants a clean smoke, or anyone looking to lessen his or her carbon footprint.

Of course, no brand is perfect. Two examples are RAW’s flimsy trays in their Connoisseur packs and restricted options for their Organic Hemp Rolls. However, there are more strengths than weaknesses.

One strong point is the product line is all-encompassing. You can purchase many different sizes of rolling papers in either Classic or Organic. All RAW papers contain the special watermark design and are thin, with the Organic papers being made from hemp.

When you use RAW products, you can take pride in supporting a brand that believes in the natural rolling experience and also gives back to communities in need. Savor the taste of weed in your joint too, without inhaling any chemicals the way that you might with competitors’ brands. For a clean, pure smoking experience, the RAW brand truly is a great choice.

Buy Online (Amazon):
Want to learn about the best rolling papers and pre rolled cones brands? Check out our comprehensive guide to Buying the Best Rolling Papers.
Watch: Why there are so many styles of RAW papers

Disclosure: CNBS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a small affiliate commission when you purchase through links on this page.

Clyde Jenkins - CNBS Author: Clyde Jenkins
Clyde is a former journalist and a cannabis connoisseur. He is an expert in well researched journalistic writing, which includes industry overviews, technology-related topics, lifestyle and culture topics, product reviews, and in-depth buyer’s guides. From common practices to what is currently hot and trending – when it comes to the practical side of this plant, Clyde is our guy.
About | Facebook | Twitter | Contact
Category Pages:
  • Rolling Papers - A guide to choosing the best rolling papers: from the best rolling paper brands to materials, shapes, and sizes.
  • Flavored Rolling Papers - A guide to flavored rolling papers: flavors, shapes, sizes, and brands.
  • Juicy Jay’s Rolling Papers - A review of Juicy Jay's rolling papers: flavors, sizes, history, and more.
  • OCB Rolling Papers - We put OCB rolling papers to the test in this comprehensive 2024 review, inspecting them for quality, selection, and more.
  • Pre-Rolled Cones - A complete guide to pre-rolled cones: the best brands, flavors, sizes, and more.
  • RAW Rolling Papers - (CURRENT PAGE)
  • Rizla Rolling Papers - Rizla is a well-known brand in the rolling paper industry, but how does it rate on quality, innovation, and other attributes?
  • Shine 24K Gold Rolling Papers - A review of Shine papers: do gold rolling papers live up to the hype?
guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments