Das Filter Blog
Types of Blunt Wraps: Tobacco, Hemp, Palm Leaf and Banana Leaf
Quick answer: Blunt wraps fall into two groups. Tobacco wraps (split cigarillos, whole tobacco leaf and pressed tobacco sheets) contain tobacco and nicotine. Tobacco-free wraps are made from hemp, palm leaf (usually Cordia leaf), banana leaf or rose petals. Hemp and tobacco sheets are flat and you roll them yourself; most palm and banana leaf options come pre-rolled as cones you fill.
Blunt wraps compared
| Wrap | Made from | Tobacco? | Roll or fill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cigarillo | A small cigar you split and empty | Yes | Split and re-roll |
| Whole-leaf tobacco wrap | A whole tobacco leaf | Yes | Roll |
| Tobacco sheet wrap | Ground tobacco pressed into a sheet | Yes | Roll |
| Hemp wrap | Hemp pressed into a sheet | No | Roll |
| Palm leaf roll | Usually Cordia leaf | No | Fill |
| Banana leaf cone | Dried banana leaf | No | Fill |
| Rose petal wrap or cone | Rose petals | No | Depends on the product |
Tobacco wraps
The blunt started with cigars. The name comes from Phillies Blunt cigars, which people split, emptied and refilled with cannabis. Tobacco wraps now come three ways:
- Cigarillos. Slit along the seam, empty out the tobacco, refill and re-roll.
- Whole-leaf wraps. A single cured tobacco leaf, with visible veins.
- Sheet wraps. Ground tobacco pressed into an even sheet, often flavored.
All three are tobacco, so a blunt rolled in one contains nicotine even if the filling is only cannabis. Tobacco wraps are tobacco products, and federal law limits their sale to adults 21 and older.
Hemp wraps
Hemp wraps are made by pulping hemp and pressing it into thin, even sheets, much like tobacco sheet wraps. They're sold as tobacco-free and nicotine-free, and many are flavored.
They roll much like a tobacco sheet wrap, though some people find them less pliable. The main complaint is that they dry out and crack. Soften the wrap with a barely damp fingertip before you roll, and keep the pack sealed.
Hemp wraps vs tobacco blunt wraps
This is the choice most people are really making at the counter, because the two look alike on the shelf.
| Hemp wrap | Tobacco wrap | |
|---|---|---|
| Tobacco and nicotine | None, if sold as tobacco-free | Yes |
| How it's made | Hemp pressed into a sheet | Whole leaf, or ground tobacco pressed into a sheet |
| Taste | Milder; flavored versions are common | Tastes of tobacco; flavored versions are common |
| Handling | Dries out and cracks; soften first | Also needs softening; whole leaf has veins to work around |
| Age to buy | Varies by state and store | 21+ (federal law) |
If the only reason you use a tobacco wrap is the size and feel, a hemp wrap is rolled the same way, without the tobacco.
Palm leaf rolls
Most "palm leaf" rolls aren't palm. They're usually Cordia leaf. They come pre-rolled, often with a built-in tip, so you fill them rather than roll them. Like any dried leaf, they can crack if they dry out.
Banana leaf cones
Banana leaf cones are dried banana leaf rolled into a cone. Leaf is thicker than paper, so a leaf cone usually burns slower than a paper cone, but it wants a fuller, more even pack and sealed storage. Packing is covered in how to pack a banana leaf cone, and the comparison with paper is in banana leaf cones vs paper cones.
Das sells 1g banana leaf cones as Nanner Barrels.
Rose petal wraps
Rose petal wraps and cones exist too, sold tobacco-free. They're less common than hemp or leaf.
How to read a wrap pack
The name on the front doesn't always tell you what's inside. Tobacco-free wraps are sometimes sold with cigar-style names like "rillo," and a tobacco wrap can look a lot like a hemp one. Check the pack for:
- "Tobacco-free" and "nicotine-free." Both should be there if that's what you want.
- What the wrap is made of. Hemp, a named leaf, or tobacco.
- Size. Wraps run from mini to king and XL, and bigger wraps take more flower.
Wrap or pre-rolled cone?
- A wrap you roll (hemp or tobacco sheet) lets you set the size and the fill. It takes practice and a softened wrap.
- A pre-rolled leaf cone (palm or banana leaf) skips the rolling. You fill, pack and twist. The leaf is already shaped, so the main skill is an even pack.
New to blunts? A pre-rolled leaf cone is the easier start. Want control over size? Roll a wrap.
How to choose a blunt wrap
- Tobacco or not. If you don't want tobacco, skip cigarillos and tobacco wraps. Check the pack says tobacco-free.
- Roll or fill. Sheets (hemp, tobacco) you roll yourself; see how to roll a blunt. Pre-rolled leaf you just fill. Not sure what you're making? Joint vs blunt vs spliff sorts out the terms.
- Size. Bigger wraps hold more and suit sharing.
- Tip. Optional. 8mm for a cigarillo-size blunt, 12mm for a big wrap. See do blunts need a filter tip.
Keep wraps from cracking
- Store them sealed, away from heat.
- Soften sheet wraps with a barely damp fingertip before rolling.
- Don't soak them. A wet wrap tears.
Frequently asked questions
What are tobacco-free blunt wraps made of?
Hemp, palm leaf, banana leaf or rose petals are the common ones. Check the pack says tobacco-free and nicotine-free.
Do hemp wraps have nicotine?
Hemp wraps sold as tobacco-free contain no tobacco or nicotine. Read the pack, since wraps from the same shelf can be tobacco.
Are palm leaf wraps really palm?
Usually not. Most palm leaf rolls are made from Cordia leaf.
What are paper wraps or blunt papers?
Shops use those names loosely for blunt wraps in general, which are usually tobacco or hemp sheets, not thin rolling paper. Read the pack to see what the wrap is made of.
Why does my blunt wrap crack?
It's too dry. Soften it with a barely damp fingertip before rolling, and store wraps sealed.
Products are for adults 21+.
