RAW

RAW is a paraphernalia and lifestyle brand specializing in smoking papers and utensils. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, under parent company HBI International, RAW changed the smoking industry by creating the world’s first mainstream "vegan" rolling paper. The brand commands massive pop-culture influence and drawing heavy endorsements from major hip-hop artists like Wiz Khalifa.

RAW operates primarily as a manufacturer and innovator in the smoking accessories space. Its core philosophy centers on purity and sustainability. Unlike traditional white rolling papers that are treated with chlorine, bleach, chalk, or chemical combustion aids, RAW products are completely unbleached and chemical-free.

While famous for its papers, RAW has expanded into a massive suite of smoking utensils. This includes pre-rolled cones, rolling trays (wooden, metal, and magnetic), cone fillers, glass and hemp tips, natural hemp wicks, and storage solutions. Through its "RAW Giving" initiative, the company has donated millions of dollars to global charitable causes, including clean water projects and animal rescue efforts.

The concept for RAW originated with founder Josh Kesselman. As a child, Kesselman was fascinated by a magic trick his father performed using a translucent Spanish rolling paper that burned away completely without leaving ash. In 1993 he realized there was an empty market niche for completely natural, unrefined rolling papers. Kesselman sold all of his belongings to open a small smoke shop in Gainesville, Florida, importing unique papers from Europe. In 1997, he founded the wholesale distribution company HBI International to expand his operations.

Before creating RAW, Kesselman experimented heavily with product creation. He launched Juicy Jay’s (fully-flavored papers) and Elements (ultra-thin rice papers). However, his ultimate goal remained a completely unbleached paper. In 2004, he invested $1 million of his own capital into a mass supply of unbleached hemp fiber. He partnered with an ancient, traditional paper mill in Alcoy (Spain), a region famed for being the birthplace of the modern rolling paper booklet. RAW Natural Rolling Papers officially hit the market in 2005 and experienced a massive boom around 2008-2009, perfectly aligning with the global rise of organic, vegan, and eco-conscious consumer movements.

Instead of traditional corporate advertising, RAW grew entirely through grassroots "sesh circles" and aggressive word-of-mouth marketing. The brand achieved legendary counter-culture status when heavy-hitting cannabis icons like Curren$y and Wiz Khalifa organically adopted the papers simply because they preferred the taste. Today, RAW is an absolute retail staple available in smoke shops worldwide. Reflecting his deep-rooted ties to the smoking community, founder Josh Kesselman further solidified his industry presence by purchasing and relaunching the iconic High Times magazine.