Latest news with #HBIInnovations
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Josh Kesselman, HBI Innovations Founder, Interviewed by CelebStoner about High Times Purchase
"It's not about profits, it's about community," says Kesselman. New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - August 11, 2025) - Josh Kesselman, founder of HBI Innovations - the independent distributors of RAW® rolling papers - was recently interviewed by CelebStoner following his acquisition of the legendary cannabis publication High Times. The deal marks a pivotal moment for the cannabis media landscape, as Kesselman teams up with former High Times executive Matt Stang to breathe new life into the embattled brand under the newly formed entity, High Times Media. "RAW's Josh Kesselman (image via Proven Media) and High Times" (Josh Kesselman founded HBI Innovations, the distributors of RAW Rolling Papers.) Founded in 1974 by countercultural icon Tom Forçade, High Times became the definitive voice of cannabis advocacy, culture, and journalism for nearly five decades. However, in recent years, High Times struggled to adapt to shifting media dynamics and mounting financial woes. After a public equity takeover in 2017 that was marred in controversy, the magazine and its assets were taken over by a lender and put up for sale. In June, it was announced that Kesselman had acquired the magazine and its related assets for $3.45 million after Hightimes Holding Co. entered receivership, weighed down by more than $20 million in debt. The acquisition made headlines in major outlets including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, signaling the magnitude of the deal not only for the cannabis world but for independent media as a whole. In his interview with CelebStoner, Kesselman reflected on the magazine's profound personal impact. His connection to the publication runs deep. As a young entrepreneur launching RAW, he actively engaged with the High Times community, "Once I got into the rolling paper business, I started sending them to High Times, and I became friendly with guys like Bobby Black, Danny Danko, and Matt Stang. They all just loved my papers, and we became friends over that. I was just so honored to be around them." The WSJ and NYT also reported on Kesselman's purchase of High Times. (Josh Kesselman founded HBI Innovations, the distributors of RAW Rolling Papers.) For Kesselman, this acquisition isn't a business play-it's a mission. He has made it clear that his priority is revitalizing High Times as a cultural institution, not a commercial enterprise. "It's not about profits, it's about community," he emphasized, "My definition of success is that each year we break even and we continue putting money into it, and that the community loves it and is thriving with it." May 1992 Issue of High Times featuring a cover story on John Lennon (Josh Kesselman founded HBI Innovations, the US distributor of RAW Rolling Papers.) The announcement has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response across the cannabis community, "When people heard I was the one buying it, they were extremely ecstatic," Kesselman said. "They know me. They know what I want to do with it." With High Times Media now in his hands, Kesselman aims to restore the publication's authenticity, amplify underrepresented voices, and ensure the legacy of High Times not only endures-but evolves. Read the full interview here. Contact: Alexa OliphantEmail: alexa@ Website: Source: Grasslands To view the source version of this press release, please visit Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Josh Kesselman, Founder of HBI Innovations, Reveals RAW Rolling Papers has Surpassed Over 300 Million Organic Views on Meta Platforms in April 2025
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - May 15, 2025) - Josh Kesselman, founder of HBI Innovations, has revealed that RAW® Rolling Papers has reached over 300 million organic views across Meta platforms during the month of April 2025. The brand's content was shared, reposted, and celebrated by fans across the globe through its official Meta handles: @rawlife247, @raw, and Josh's @rawkandroll without the use of paid advertisements. Josh Kesselman pictured at KushStock 2025, an event that brings together the cannabis community. "Our audience is the algorithm," said Josh Kesselman, founder of RAW®. "We don't chase trends - we set them. This kind of reach isn't luck, it's love. RAW is powered by real people sharing RAWthentic moments, real culture, and a passion for smoking. When you build something authentic, people don't just follow - they amplify." The numbers are a testament to Josh Kesselman's and RAW®'s connection to its community and its ability to organically drive mass engagement in an era dominated by paid media. With over 300 million organic views tracked in April 2025 alone, RAW®'s reach on Meta exemplifies how purpose-driven brands can lead global conversations without relying on traditional media buys. From viral rolling tutorials to behind-the-scenes exclusives, philanthropic shoutouts, and the unmistakable RAW® energy, the brand's content continues to resonate with a new generation of cannabis consumers and culture lovers. RAW's social success also underscores its position as not just a leader in rolling papers, but as a movement rooted in creativity, justice, and community. Josh Kesselman is known for engaging with RAW®'s community on its official Meta platforms. "This isn't just a flex - it's proof of purpose," Kesselman added. "We built RAW® for the people, and now they're carrying the flame." HBI Innovations, is an independent, world-famous provider of high-quality rolling papers, cones, and other smoking innovations, including the legendary RAW® brand, the unbleached rolling papers that are used by millions worldwide. Under the leadership of its founder Josh Kesselman, HBI is dedicated to operating under a philosophy that prioritizes both product excellence and ethical business practices. The company's humanitarian effort, RAW Giving, has donated more than $2.5 million in direct cash contributions, plus in-kind contributions of about $200,000, to a wide variety of charities and causes, including clean water, animal rescue, reforestation, and more. Contact: Cynthia SalarizadehEmail: cynthia@ Website: SOURCE: Asha Media Group To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Josh Kesselman, HBI Innovations Founder, Announces Elements x Zushi Collaboration
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - May 12, 2025) - Josh Kesselman, founder of HBI Innovations, has announced an exclusive collaboration between Elements rolling papers and elite cultivators Zushi, a premium brand under Tenco. This partnership unites two industry leaders to deliver a limited-edition product blending Kesselman's ultra-thin Elements papers with custom Zushi artwork. Kesselman spoke in depth about the collaboration with Honeysuckle. Josh Kesselman, founder of HBI Innovations HBI's Elements came before the widely known RAW brand of smoking accessories. The Elements brand is known for its unparalleled quality and craftsmanship. In this special release, Zushi - known for its boutique genetics and exclusivity - brings its signature design and artistry to the iconic Elements product line. "Gerry, Staks and the Zushi team had been using boxes and boxes of Elements king size wide. Finally, I was like, 'I have to meet these guys' and my friend Layne (@smoke) intro'd us," Kesselman said of the collaboration. The limited-edition Elements x Zushi papers officially launched on April 20, 2025, but demand quickly skyrocketed. A small initial release saw packs reselling online for $200 each. "People were fighting for it," Kesselman revealed. "We sent the rest out to stores for 4/20 and asked them not to drop it until then. Each store got just a couple of boxes." Elements x Zushi brought together Kesselman's ultra-thin Elements papers with custom Zushi artwork "Gerry's extremely talented. I gave him the ball and he ran with it. I really believe he beat me. His is much more eye-catching." Josh Kesselman said when reflecting on the artwork featured in the collaboration. Elements x Zushi was a highly anticipated collaboration. Kesselman, whose passion for rolling papers is both personal and professional, emphasized the deeper significance of the collaboration. "I believe rolling papers are magic," he shared. "They release energy into your material, and that material releases energy into you. That's not just chemistry - that's connection." More information about Elements and its full range of products can be found at Cynthia SalarizadehEmail: cynthia@ Website: SOURCE: Asha Media Group To view the source version of this press release, please visit Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Josh Kesselman, HBI Innovations Founder, Featured in GreenState Article on Kushstock Cannabis Festival
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2025) - Josh Kesselman, founder of HBI Innovations (formerly BBK Tobacco & Foods, LLP dba HBI International), was featured in an article in GreenState on the Kushstock cannabis festival in Los Angeles. HBI Innovation's RAW brand was celebrating its 20th anniversary at the event, which also coincided with Kesselman's birthday and 4/20 weekend. HBI Innovations founder, Josh Kesselman. Written by Rachelle Gordon, the article explores Kesselman's views on events within the cannabis community. "It just reminds me of the past, where you have that sense of community again," Kesselman shared. "Even if it's only for a moment, even if it's only for one little festival, one day per year, it just brings me back to the point where I'm smoking with my friends in the basement again." "We've lost our way to some extent," Kesselman said. "And it's these festivals, when they happen right, and when the mindset is correct, that hopefully remind people of why we all started smoking to begin with. I mean, there are people who started smoking for medical purposes, of course, but those of us who just started smoking for fun with our friends, I want to bring that back." Josh Kesselman, founder of HBI, at KushStock 2025 The article also highlighted one of RAW's latest product drops - an updated version of the brand's nostalgic cartoon-inspired Fireblazer Helmet. A portion of the proceeds from the drop benefited the Pasadena Animal Humane Society through the RAW Giving initiative. The program partners with nonprofit organizations supporting various causes, including clean water, restorative justice, and animal rights. One of RAW's latest product drops - an updated Fireblazer Helmet. Reflecting on 20 years of RAW, Kesselman outlined the ups and downs, including a recent copyright infringement lawsuit in which RAW was ultimately victorious. But the HBI Innovations founder concluded on a positive note: "I wake up most days so thankful for this ridiculous life I get to live. What do I really want? I want the impossible. I don't want things to change." The full article can be found on GreenState's website. More information on RAW® and its full range of products can be found at Contact: Cynthia SalarizadehEmail: cynthia@ Website: SOURCE: Asha Media Group To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
HBI Innovations Founder, Josh Kesselman, Featured in Benzinga Article
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - April 16, 2025) - Josh Kesselman, founder of HBI Innovations (formerly BBK Tobacco & Foods, LLP dba HBI International), was recently featured in a Benzinga article on the book A Guide to Medical Cannabis: Your Roadmap to Understanding and Using Cannabis and CBD for Health by award-winning journalists Javier Hasse and Nicolás José Rodríguez. Josh Kesselman, founder of HBI Innovations (formerly BBK Tobacco & Foods, LLP dba HBI International) Published by Sheldon Press, an imprint of Hachette Publishing, this guide offers a clear and comprehensive roadmap to understanding medical cannabis - from its ancient history and biochemistry to its modern-day applications in treating chronic pain, mental health conditions and neurological disorders. Josh Kesselman, known for building leading rolling paper brand RAW®, said of the book, "This amazing book meaningfully tells you everything you need to know about the human connection to cannabis and how to use it to achieve homeostasis in many different ways. I have never seen such a well-written, thoughtfully put together book on cannabis, our human connection to the plant and the history. All humans experience pain in their lives. Reading this book, it becomes clear that cannabis can help almost all of us in so many wonderful ways! Thank you for writing this: our community needed it!" Josh Kesselman's thoughts of A Guide to Medical Cannabis was featured in Benzinga Kesselman's praise places A Guide to Medical Cannabis alongside a growing wave of expert and cultural endorsements - including voices like Tommy Chong, Dr Peter Grinspoon, and Ed Rosenthal - which positions it to assert itself as a trusted resource in the evolving conversation around cannabis and wellness. A Guide to Medical Cannabis is now available through Hachette's Sheldon Press, further cementing its place as a trusted resource for those seeking clarity on the therapeutic potential of cannabis. The full article can be found on Benzinga's website. More information on RAW® and its full range of products can be found at Contact: Cynthia SalarizadehEmail: cynthia@ Website: SOURCE: Asha Media Group To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio
