Consumers often ask whether rolling papers contain metal, seeking transparency about additives and processing chemicals. The RAW brand, known for its natural and unrefined papers, is frequently questioned due to its unique appearance and texture. This article clarifies the exact composition of RAW papers and addresses the confusion surrounding the presence of metal.
Addressing the Metal Question Directly
RAW rolling papers do not contain any metallic foils, wires, or heavy metals as intentional ingredients. The paper is constructed entirely from plant-based fibers and includes no metallic elements for structure or burning. Concerns often arise from general anxiety about additives or from misinterpreting the paper’s unique watermark feature.
While heavy metal contaminants, such as lead, can occur in some papers due to environmental contamination or manufacturing impurities, RAW’s core design philosophy is to exclude all non-paper additives and metallic substances.
The True Composition of Raw Papers
RAW papers are made from a blend of natural, unrefined plant fibers, typically including hemp, flax, and rice. Keeping the fibers unbleached is central to the brand’s commitment to purity. This unrefined nature gives the paper its characteristic light brown or tan coloration, contrasting with traditionally bleached white papers.
The absence of chlorine is a significant feature, as it is typically used to whiten paper pulp. Avoiding this chemical bleaching process means the final product contains fewer residual compounds that would be introduced during combustion. The paper pulp is processed minimally to retain its natural state.
The adhesive used on the gum line is plant-derived, typically natural organic acacia gum. This gum is filtered and pasteurized tree sap applied as a thin strip to one edge. This plant-based gum is designed to burn cleanly alongside the paper fibers, minimizing taste interference and chemical exposure.
Understanding the Unique Watermark
The visual element often mistaken for a metal component is the patented Criss-Cross watermark. This feature is not a wire or metallic strip, but an integral part of the paper’s structure created during manufacturing. The watermark is formed by pressing the paper between rollers, causing a variation in the paper’s density and thickness in a specific grid pattern.
This unique pattern serves a functional purpose: ensuring a slow, even burn. By creating areas of slightly differing thickness, the watermark helps prevent “running” or “canoeing,” where one side burns faster than the other. When held up to the light, this compressed fiber pattern can appear distinct, but it is simply an engineering solution using only the paper fiber to control the combustion rate.