Josh Kesselmann | CEO of RAW

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Josh Kesselman, HBI Innovations Founder, Featured in Wall Street Journal Piece on High Times Purchase

Josh Kesselman, founder of HBI Innovations and RAW®, spoke with the Wall Street Journal about his $3.5 million purchase of the iconic counterculture publication High Times. Kesselman is partnering with former co-owner Matt Stang to revive the magazine’s print edition, relaunch the Cannabis Cup competition, and develop licensing deals, including RAW® rolling papers. He has also invested an additional $1.85 million to cover trademark fees and digitize archival content. Kesselman emphasized that the primary goal is to preserve High Times’ legacy and voice within cannabis culture, even if the venture initially operates at a loss. The initiative aligns with a broader trend of media publications reviving print editions, while reconnecting with a passionate community of cannabis enthusiasts.

Josh Kesselman, Founder of HBI Innovations and Raw Rolling Papers Featured in MSN Writeup on Victory at the End of 9-Year Legal Battle

Josh Kesselman, founder of HBI Innovations and RAW®, was featured in MSN following HBI’s victory in its nine-year legal battle against Republic Tobacco. The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit upheld the 2021 jury verdict, confirming that Republic Tobacco and its OCB® brand had willfully infringed RAW®’s trade dress and advertising design for its Organic Hemp rolling papers. The ruling reinforced RAW®’s brand integrity and copyright protection. Kesselman emphasized that all net award proceeds, totaling in the high six figures, were donated through RAW Giving to charitable causes, including social justice initiatives and animal rescues. He highlighted RAW®’s commitment to independence, innovation, and community, underscoring the brand’s resilience against corporate pressure.

Josh Kesselman, HBI Innovations Founder, Gives Tour of Raw Factory in Benimarfull, Spain

Josh Kesselman, founder of HBI Innovations, gave an exclusive tour of the RAW factory in Benimarfull, Spain, highlighting the region’s centuries-long rolling paper tradition. Documented by Benzinga, the tour showcased the historic Iberpapel S.L. facility and its role in producing RAW®, Elements, and Juicy Jay’s rolling papers. Kesselman reflected on his personal connection to the craft, tracing his fascination back to childhood memories with his father and emphasizing the enduring legacy of rolling paper production in the region. Kesselman described the factory as a place that “chose us,” blending centuries of tradition with modern production to maintain high-quality standards for global consumers. The tour also highlights HBI Innovations’ commitment to heritage, craftsmanship, and authenticity in the rolling paper industry.

Josh Kesselman, Founder of HBI Innovations, Reveals RAW Rolling Papers has Surpassed Over 300 Million Organic Views on Meta Platforms in April 2025

Josh Kesselman, founder of HBI Innovations, announced that RAW® Rolling Papers achieved over 300 million organic views across Meta platforms in April 2025. The brand’s content, shared via official Meta handles @rawlife247, @raw, and Josh’s @rawkandroll, reached this milestone without paid advertising, demonstrating RAW®’s strong community connection. Kesselman emphasized that RAW®’s success comes from authentic engagement, culture, and shared passion for smoking. This achievement reinforces RAW®’s influence as a cultural movement in the cannabis industry, highlighting the power of purpose-driven content to drive global conversations organically. RAW® continues to combine innovation, creativity, and philanthropy through initiatives like RAW Giving, which has donated over $2.5 million to various charitable causes.