Josh Kesselman: Age, Career, RAW Papers, High Times, Net Worth, and More

Josh Kesselman is an American entrepreneur best known as the founder of RAW rolling papers and the current publisher of High Times magazine. His work has shaped modern cannabis culture through accessible, natural rolling papers and a renewed focus on legacy media.

People search for Josh Kesselman because of his role in popularizing unbleached, vegan-friendly papers, his high-visibility social media presence teaching rolling techniques, and his 2025 acquisition of the iconic High Times brand. Readers typically want clear details on his background, career path, age, business activities, and available public information about his personal life and estimated wealth.

This overview draws from reliable public reporting to cover the key facts about Josh Kesselman without speculation.

Who Is Josh Kesselman?

Josh Kesselman is a cannabis industry entrepreneur and cultural figure who built a major rolling-paper brand from a personal obsession with paper collection and design. He founded HBI Innovations (also referred to as HBI International) and launched the RAW brand, which became widely recognized for its thin, unbleached, plant-based papers.

He is also the owner and publisher of High Times, the long-running cannabis magazine and events brand he acquired with partner Matt Stang. Public profiles often describe him as a visible advocate for rolling culture, philanthropy focused on water access and cannabis justice, and preserving aspects of cannabis history.

Josh Kesselman Profile

Early Life and Education

Josh Kesselman was born in New York City on April 19, 1971, and grew up in Hewlett on Long Island. He has spoken about his father’s rolling-paper magic trick—lighting a paper so it vanished—as an early influence that sparked a lifelong interest in papers.

He collected rolling papers as a child, later trading and cataloging packs. After being expelled from Hewlett High School for smoking, he finished high school at Robert Louis Stevenson School in New York City. He then attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he studied marketing.

Career Beginnings

While still a student, Kesselman opened Knuckleheads, a head shop in Gainesville, Florida, in 1993 after selling most of his possessions. He later expanded the concept, including a location in Madison, Wisconsin, connected to family ties to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In the mid-1990s, federal authorities raided his stores over drug paraphernalia sales. He faced charges, received probation and a fine, and was directed toward rolling papers, which remained legal for tobacco use. This shift led him to focus exclusively on papers and related products.

He moved to the Phoenix area around 1996–1997 and founded HBI as a wholesale distributor of smoking accessories.

RAW Rolling Papers and HBI Innovations

Under HBI, Kesselman developed brands including Elements and Juicy Jay’s. In 2005 he launched RAW, designed as a thin, translucent, unbleached brown paper made without certain additives and using plant-based gum. The name drew inspiration from a Big Daddy Kane lyric.

RAW grew into a major brand through product innovation, cultural associations (including hip-hop references), and consistent marketing. Papers are produced with input from European mills and a Spanish factory that Kesselman later acquired. The company has expanded into related accessories and maintains a strong presence in smoke shops and online.

HBI remains a private company. Some reports have valued the RAW-related business in the range of $200 million, though this is not an official public figure.

High Times Acquisition

In 2025, Josh Kesselman and Matt Stang purchased High Times—including the magazine, website, and Cannabis Cup assets—for approximately $3.45–3.5 million after the brand had entered receivership. Kesselman has stated his goal is to restore the publication’s cultural relevance with new print issues, website content, events, and storytelling.

The deal marked a significant expansion of his public role from product founder to media publisher. He has discussed plans for larger Cannabis Cup events and continued focus on cannabis culture.

Income Sources and Business

Primary income for Josh Kesselman comes from HBI Innovations and the RAW brand through wholesale distribution, product sales, and related accessories. Additional activity includes the High Times publishing and events business. Exact revenue or personal compensation figures are not publicly disclosed because the companies are private.

Online net-worth estimates for Josh Kesselman range widely (from tens of millions to higher figures tied to brand valuations). These are unofficial approximations based on reported business scale and should not be treated as verified personal wealth.

Age and Personal Details

Born April 19, 1971, Josh Kesselman is 55 years old as of 2026, consistent with Forbes and Rolling Stone reporting. Height and other physical measurements have not been publicly confirmed in reliable sources. He is often recognized by his long dark hair, goatee, and red-and-black clothing aligned with the RAW brand aesthetic.

Family and Relationship Status

Public details about extended family are limited. Kesselman has referenced his father’s influence on his early interest in papers. He is married to Betty, who is Canadian and lives in Vancouver; he has been reported to visit her regularly. He resides primarily in the Paradise Valley / Phoenix area of Arizona, where he keeps animals including horses and a donkey on property he developed. Further family or relationship details have not been widely confirmed in public sources.

Lifestyle and Philanthropy

Kesselman maintains a visible presence at industry events, trade shows, and meet-and-greets. He has spoken about teaching rolling techniques and preserving hands-on cannabis culture amid the rise of pre-rolls.

Philanthropy is a consistent public theme. Through RAW and personal efforts, contributions exceeding $3 million (plus in-kind support) have gone to clean-water projects (including Ethiopia), animal welfare, reforestation, and organizations supporting people impacted by cannabis laws, such as the Last Prisoner Project and related groups. In 2026 he launched the Josh Kesselman Foundation for Making the World a Better Place with an initial $2.2 million endowment focused on cannabis- and water-related nonprofits.

Social Media Presence

Josh Kesselman and the RAW brand maintain active accounts across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and related platforms (commonly under handles associated with RAW). Content frequently features rolling demonstrations, product education, behind-the-scenes clips, and community engagement. These channels have helped expand the brand’s reach and positioned Kesselman as a recognizable face of rolling culture.

Interesting Facts

• He began collecting rolling papers as a child and once held thousands of packs.
• The RAW concept originated from a desire for a thin, translucent, unbleached brown paper that did not exist commercially at the time.
• He has described learning to speak quickly as a technique to manage stuttering.
• RAW and related efforts have supported large-scale tree planting and water-well projects.
• He has publicly discussed teaching millions of people how to roll through videos and in-person appearances.

Final Thoughts

Josh Kesselman built a lasting presence in the cannabis accessories space by turning a personal passion for rolling papers into the RAW brand and later expanding into media ownership with High Times. His career reflects persistence after early legal setbacks, product innovation, and ongoing involvement in culture and philanthropy. Public interest continues to center on his business achievements, age, and the publicly available details of his professional path.

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FAQs

Who is Josh Kesselman?

Josh Kesselman is an American entrepreneur known as the founder of RAW rolling papers and HBI Innovations. In 2025 he became co-owner and publisher of High Times magazine. He is recognized for popularizing natural, unbleached papers and for his visible role in cannabis culture and philanthropy.

How old is Josh Kesselman?

Josh Kesselman was born on April 19, 1971. As of 2026 he is 55 years old, according to reporting in outlets such as Rolling Stone and Forbes.

What is Josh Kesselman’s net worth?

No official net-worth figure has been publicly confirmed. Online estimates vary widely and often reference private company valuations for RAW or HBI. These should be treated as unofficial approximations only.

Where does Josh Kesselman live?

He is based in the Paradise Valley / Phoenix area of Arizona, where he has a ranch-style property. Forbes lists his residence as Paradise Valley, Arizona.

What does Josh Kesselman do for a living?

He runs HBI Innovations, the company behind RAW and other rolling-paper brands, and serves as publisher of High Times following the 2025 acquisition. His work centers on product development, distribution, media, and related cultural and philanthropic activities.