RAW in the midst of scandal: How can you tell the real from the fake?

Earlier this month, the distributor HBI International—which markets, among other products, the rolling paper and accessory brands RAW®, Elements®, and Juicy Jays®, was permanently barred from making certain statements regarding its RAW Organic Hemp rolling paper brand, following a federal lawsuit filed by its rival Republic Brands (JOB, OCB…).

The court ruled that HBI had engaged in unfair competition and violated the Illinois Unfair Trade Practices Act through its packaging and promotional activities. It ordered the company to cease manufacturing or restocking products that do not comply with the court’s order.

The order to rescind the decision follows a jury verdict finding that HBI made false statements regarding the «RAW Foundation,» the location where its products are manufactured, and the «organic» quality of its paper.

The court ordered HBI to stop making certain claims regarding other brands it distributes, including Elements, DLX, Skunk, Pay-Pay, and Juicy Jays, on packaging bearing an «Alcoy seal» after May 31, 2023.

Among the complaints raised, RAW pointed out that its rolling papers were manufactured in the iconic village of rolling papers Spanish, Alcoy, even though it is manufactured in Saint-Girons, France, by the paper conglomerate Schweitzer-Mauduit International, and then shipped to Iberpapel in Benimarfull, Spain, to be packaged there.

RAW's Response

In response to the press release Following the trial verdict, RAW issued a statement in which it specifically vouched for the safety of its products. The company also expressed its commitment to engaging in dialogue and working with its community to address all the concerns that have been raised. It is also committed to putting an end to rumors regarding the safety of its products, which it describes as hurtful and false.

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«RAW is a success story. Thanks to your support, we have become a global brand beloved by discerning smokers. Under the vision of our founder, Josh Kesselman, RAW is now one of the world’s leaders in rolling paper and smoking innovations,» the press release begins.

Independent and led by a «close-knit team,» the company is proud of its reputation for product quality and its strong standing in the industry, the press release continues.

The Origin of RAW Papers

RAW stated that its organic hemp rolling papers are manufactured in Benimarfull, a village in the Spanish province of Alicante, and that they use certified, unbleached organic hemp sourced from southern France.

The paper rolls are then either shipped to Spain, where they undergo a special embossing process to become RAW rolling papers, or finished and sent to be rolled into cones.

RAW's Philanthropic Initiatives

In addition, RAW provided information about its philanthropic initiatives, now known as RAW Giving. The company says it has donated more than $2.5 million in direct cash contributions, as well as in-kind contributions valued at $186,174, to a wide variety of charitable organizations.

The company has updated the way it reports its donations and clarified that it is not a charity, but rather provides financial support to numerous charities and other causes that are central to the RAW brand’s values.

The Trial

The lawsuit that led to the update of RAW's packaging and marketing messages also brought some good news for the company.

According to the press release, a jury awarded RAW $979,620 for a competitor’s willful infringement of RAW’s trade dress and $40,000 in statutory damages for willful infringement of RAW’s copyrights.

The company has agreed to a settlement requiring certain changes to some of its packaging and marketing messages, but assures its customers that all RAW products continue to meet high quality standards.

In an article whose title sets the tone, The Pinocchio of Pot, Forbes attempted to verify all of the brand's claims but was unable to to validate them all.