RAW (rolling papers)

Package of RAW 1 1/4 size classic rolling papers.

RAW is a brand of rolling papers created in 1995 by Josh Kesselman. They are designed to be used for smoking tobacco and cannabis. RAW filters and hand-rolling machines are also available.

History

In 1993, after selling all of his possessions, Josh Kesselman was able to start a small smoke shop named Knuckleheads in Gainesville, Florida which imported specialty rolling papers from Europe and sold smoking paraphernalia. In 1996, Kesselman accidentally sold a bong to a woman whose father worked for the US government. Kesselman was raided and placed under house arrest. Later that year, Kesselman moved to Arizona to start a smoke shop supply and distribution company called HBI.

By 1997, the business was expanding. Kesselman met the owner of an old rolling paper factory in Spain's Alcoy region who looked to create and sell new products. Kesselman joined and later developed two brands, Juicy Jay's, which were flavored papers, and Elements, which is similar to rice papers.

In 2004, Kesselman made a $1 million investment to a supplier of natural, unprocessed and unbleached hemp fiber, which could be marketed as "vegan" papers. The concept was successful and RAW became the first company to offer "vegan" papers. In 2005, RAW started mass production.

Wiz Khalifa dedicated a song to the brand, titled "Raw." Mary Schumacher of The Fresh Toast recommended RAW rolling papers to people who smoke cannabis.

File:RAW hemp rolling paper.png

Package of RAW rolling papers made from hemp

See also

• Roll-your-own
• List of rolling papers