A jury verdict discovered HBI Worldwide, creator of RAW Natural Hemp rolling papers, engaged in unfair enterprise practices which violated the Illinois Uniform Misleading Commerce Practices Act. The RAW model, identified for its artisanal merchandise and charitable contributions, apparently lied in regards to the existence of its charity, the RAW Basis, and the manufacturing and distribution location of its RAW Natural Hemp rolling papers.
RAW Founder Joshua Kesselman informed Hashish & Tech At the moment in a 2022 interview that RAW papers are crafted in Alcoy, Spain within the “final remaining genuine rolling paper manufacturing facility in Alcoy.” America District Courtroom for the Northern District of Illinois completely enjoined HBI Worldwide from implying its RAW Natural Hemp merchandise are created in or distributed from Alcoy.
Additional, HBI Worldwide is forbidden from stating HBI and/or RAW contributes funds or proceeds to the RAW Basis charitable entity. The court docket decided the inspiration doesn’t really exist.
The January 31, 2023 court docket ruling forbids HBI Worldwide from advertising and marketing or stating any of the next:
- That HBI and/or RAW® contributes its funds or proceeds to a charitable entity/basis dubbed the “RAW Basis”
- That RAW® Natural Hemp rolling papers are “unrefined”
- That RAW® Natural Hemp rolling paper adhesives are produced from pure hemp gum
- That RAW® Natural Hemp rolling papers are the world’s first or solely natural (or natural hemp) rolling papers
- That RAW® Natural Hemp rolling papers are made in Alcoy, Spain
- That HBI Worldwide shall not embody a packaging “stamp” utilizing the phrase Alcoy or referring to Alcoy
- That RAW® Natural Hemp rolling papers make the most of wind energy
- That RAW® Natural Hemp rolling papers are produced from the middle of hemp stalks
- That HBI or its founder Joshua Kesselmen invented rolling paper pre-rolled cones
- That OCB® Natural Hemp papers are knock-offs, “RAWnabees,” copies, or pretend variations of RAW® rolling papers
After Might 31, 2023, HBI should stop selling, promoting, or distributing merchandise below any of its different manufacturers in packaging with an Alcoy stamp. These manufacturers embody Parts, Juicy Jays, and others.
RAW’s web sites RAWgiving.com and RAWthentic.com, are at present down, stating “We’re updating our web site and packaging to provide the most rawesome rolling expertise ever.” This can be in response to the injunction requiring sure claims on RAW’s packaging be modified.
To take heed to Kesselman’s 2022 interview describing the model, its origins, and its charitable contributions, take a look at the podcast with Hashish & Tech At the moment Editor-in-Chief Charles Warner.
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