Republic Brands Case Spurs Nationwide Ban on RAW® Maker, Federal Court Orders HBI International to Change Packaging and Promotions

News provided by

Republic Brands

Jun 10, 2025, 06:01 ET

Decision Affirms Initial Ruling that Josh Kesselman Violated the Illinois Uniform Deceptive Trade Practice Act

GLENVIEW, Ill., June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a sweeping rebuke of deceptive marketing, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has upheld a nationwide permanent injunction against RAW® Rolling Papers maker HBI International. The ruling affirms the jury's finding that HBI and its founder Josh Kesselman misled consumers with false claims about its products. Rejecting HBI's attempt to limit the injunction to Illinois, the Court made clear: HBI's dishonesty is a national problem requiring a nationwide remedy.

This punitive injunction resulted from a case brought by global rolling paper category leader Republic Brands, in which a jury found that HBI did violate the Illinois Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act and engaged in unfair competition in marketing RAW® rolling papers.

In upholding the injunction, court documents point out that HBI and RAW have shown "a proclivity to attempt to evade court order." The documents further explain that "by mandating that HBI verify the accuracy of its factual statements—or otherwise use opinions—the district court crafted a remedy that it reasonably believed would deter future violations that it could "fairly" anticipate from HBI's conduct."

The HBI marketing strategies that prompted the nationwide permanent injunction included a series of claims that Republic Brands successfully argued were not accurate:

  • A portion of profits from RAW products goes to the non-existent "RAW Foundation," which uses those funds to save lives worldwide
  • RAW organic hemp papers are made in Alcoy, Spain
  • RAW organic papers are made with natural hemp gum
  • RAW organic hemp papers are the "world's first" or "world's only" organic hemp rolling papers
  • RAW organic hemp papers are made using wind power
  • RAW organic hemp papers are "unrefined"
  • HBI's owner, Josh Kesselman, invented rolling paper "cones"

"This is more than a win for Republic Brands. It's a win for all rolling paper consumers who expect and deserve truth in advertising from the brands they purchase," said Republic Brands CEO Don Levin. "As the world's largest manufacturer of rolling papers and smoking accessories, we take our role as leaders seriously. We'll continue to fight for a level playing field where all parties act in good faith and engage in honest marketing and advertising practices."

About Republic Brands®
The world's leading rolling company, Republic Brands® holds the most extensive portfolio in the category including (OCB®, JOB®, e-z wider®, DRUM®, Premier®, Gambler®, and TOP® brands. Republic Brands is part of a family-owned company that is known for innovations such as sustainable bamboo, hemp and flax fiber papers and cones, its natural acacia gum, and internationally recognized ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 and GMP standards.

Media Contact:
Trailblaze for Republic Brands
[email protected]

SOURCE Republic Brands