Josh Kesselman, RAW(R) Founder, Announces Release of 50th Anniversary Issue of High Times

October 23, 2025 at 11:28 AM EDT

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Josh Kesselman, the founding force behind RAW rolling papers, has announced the release of a limited-edition, collectible 50th Anniversary Issue of High Times. High Times was founded in 1974 and became an iconic voice in cannabis culture, psychedelics, advocacy and industry insight. In 2025, High Times and its associated event assets were acquired by Josh Kesselman, who has assumed the role of Publisher. Kesselman, also leads HBI Innovations, the Arizona-based company that owns the RAW brand of rolling papers and smoking accessories. After acquiring High Times, Kesselman has vowed to usher the publication into a new golden age despite the controversy that has long surrounded both the plant and its portrayal in media.

Josh Kesselman acquired High Times in 2025 and has assumed the role of Publisher.

"Back in the '80s, I bought my first copy of High Times and hid it under my jacket just to get it in the house. The moment I opened those pages, I stepped into another world: free, creative, rebellious, alive. It changed me," said Josh Kesselman, publisher of High Times and founding force behind RAW® rolling papers. "To help bring this magazine back to life 50 years later feels surreal. This isn't about profits, it's about giving back to the community that raised me and cutting through the controversy to share the truth about this plant."

The 50th Anniversary Issue will feature archival work from Hunter S. Thompson, Charles Bukowski, Bob Marley and Andy Warhol, alongside fresh reporting from Debra Borchardt, Danny Danko and other contemporary writers whose work will be given a home for evolving discourse.

Josh Kesselman has announced the release of a limited-edition, collectible 50th Anniversary Issue of High Times.