⭐ Josh Kesselman ⭐

Josh Kesselman is an American entrepreneur and the founding force behind RAW Rolling Papers. Known for his eccentric, high-energy personality and "Willy Wonka-esque" online presence, Kesselman completely reshaped smoking culture by popularizing unbleached, vegan, and natural plant-based smoking accessories.

Kesselman was born in New York City and raised in Hewlett, Long Island. His lifelong obsession with rolling papers began at just five years old when his father performed a magic trick: lighting a piece of rice paper on fire and tossing it into the air, where it instantly vanished. Entranced by the concept, Kesselman began collecting unique rolling paper booklets throughout his youth. During his college years, he actively traded rare packs with collectors across Europe.

Kesselman attended the University of Florida. For a class project, he researched opening a small smoke shop and received an "A" grade. Following his graduation in 1993, he sold almost all of his personal belongings to open the actual storefront - a small headshop named Knuckleheads in Gainesville, Florida. His retail venture hit a catastrophic roadblock in 1996. An employee accidentally sold a bong to a young woman whose father was a high-ranking U.S. Customs Service official. Federal agents raided the shop, confiscated his inventory, and placed Kesselman under house arrest. Crucially, the arresting officers left his rolling papers behind because they were legal tobacco accessories. Kesselman took this as a sign from the universe to pivot entirely into the paper market.

After the raid, Kesselman relocated to Arizona and established HBI (BBK Tobacco & Foods), a smoke shop supply and distribution company. He formed a pivotal partnership with a historic rolling paper factory in the Alicante province of Spain, launching successful early brands like Elements (rice papers) and Juicy Jay’s (flavored papers). The idea for RAW sparked when a customer praised a "natural" cigarette. Kesselman tried it but was disgusted by the bleached, chemically treated white paper. He envisioned a totally pure, unrefined, and unbleached translucent paper. After investing $1 million into perfecting a natural hemp-fiber blend, Kesselman officially launched RAW Natural Rolling Papers in 2005. The brand exploded in popularity, driven by the organic movement and endorsements from prominent hip-hop artists and cannabis advocates.

As a dominant cultural icon in the industry, Kesselman expanded his portfolio into media. In June 2025, he acquired the iconic stoner publication High Times Magazine for $3.5 million to spearhead its revival. Kesselman is also deeply involved in global philanthropy through his charitable initiatives, which have donated millions of dollars to fund water wells in drought-stricken areas of Africa (including Ethiopia), plant trees, and support social justice organizations like the Last Prisoner Project.