Matribhumi Samachar English
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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