Raw Papers Mired In Controversy
A lawsuit alleges that HBI, maker of Raw Cones & Raw Papers, engaged in unfair competition through false claims made in its packaging and promotional activities.
Republic Brands, a major distributor of rolling papers, has secured a permanent injunction against HBI International in a federal lawsuit. The injunction follows a jury verdict that HBI engaged in unfair competition and violated the Illinois Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act through false claims made in its packaging and promotional activities.
No Evidence of a “RAW Foundation“
One of the false claims made by HBI was it operated or contributed funds to the “RAW Foundation.”
However, in a December 6, 2022 ruling, the court found no such foundation, despite HBI’s previous promotional claims. As a result, the court ordered HBI to cease making any reference to the “RAW Foundation” in text or images.
Some Reddit users were stating a main factor in their use of Raw Papers is the Foundation, which appears to have never existed.
Misleading Claims on The Origin of Raw Cones Rolling Papers
For over a decade, HBI marketed its papers as being made by artisanal craftsmen in “Alcoy, Spain.”
The company claimed that its RAW® papers receive the “Spanish Alcoy Paper Blessing.” HBI affixed an “Alcoy stamp” to some of its products. However, in a January 19, 2023 ruling, the court found that HBI made no rolling papers in Alcoy, Spain.
The court ordered HBI to stop stating or implying that its RAW® Organic Hemp papers or cones were made in Alcoy, Spain. They also prohibited the use of the word “Alcoy” or references to Alcoy on its packaging.
False Claims about the Composition of Organic Raw Cones
What Are Raw Papers Made Of?
Raw papers may not be exactly made as pure as adertised. HBI made false claims about the composition of its RAW® Organic Hemp rolling papers.
Consequently, the court ordered HBI, parent of Raw Cones, to cease promoting, selling, or delivering products that suggest the papers are “unrefined,” made with natural hemp gum, or contain hemp as an adhesive.
Additionally, HBI was prohibited from making false claims about the papers being the world’s first or only organic (or organic hemp) rolling papers.
ALL MY POTHEADS ‼️
— m i s s y g r o l l n e k (@missygrollnek) February 11, 2023
Please do not buy RAW papers, cones, or other products ~ THROW THEM AWAY !! They are in a huge lawsuit right now for false advertising, having high heavy metals in them, as well as LYING about donating proceeds to charity (the charity doesn’t exist)
HBI Misleading on the Manufacturing Process
HBI, the maker of Raw rolling papers and market leader in the sector, was found to have lied about its papers being made in Alcoy, Spain, according to a court ruling in a federal lawsuit. Raw must immediately stop marketing its products as made in Alcoy and other false claims. pic.twitter.com/AcuoZInVy5
— Will Yakowicz (@WillYakowicz) February 9, 2023
Additionally, HBI made false claims about the manufacturing process of its RAW® Organic Hemp rolling papers and raw cones. The court also ordered HBI to stop suggesting that the papers were made using wind power or powered by wind. HBI is also prohibited from stating the center of the hemp stalk is used for its RAW® Organic Hemp rolling papers or raw cones.
😦 i’ve primarily smoked raw papers since 2016 wtf where’s the class action lawsuit so i can sign tf up pic.twitter.com/TJHHRZVzp1
— fortnite fgt (@thai_brows) February 11, 2023
Why Do People Love Raw Cones?
HIB, maker of Raw Cones, had also claimed to invent pre-rolled cones. HBI also made false claims about inventions and knock-offs. The court also ordered HBI to stop suggesting that Kesselman invented rolling paper pre-rolled cones. HBI must also stop stating that the OCB Organic Hemp papers are knock-offs, “RAWnabees,” copies, or fake versions of RAW.
Where is the RAW Papers Factory?
The court has also ordered HBI to cease promoting, selling, distributing, shipping, or delivering products that contain these false statements by March 2, 2023, for RAW Organic Hemp. Furthermore, the court ordered HBI must cease by May 31, 2023, for its other brands sold in packaging, including an Alcoy stamp.
oh man the whole RAW papers court stuff is kinda fucked. They have been saying they're contributing to a charity that doesn't even exist & claiming the papers are made in spain when they don't even have a location in spain. Honestly not what I expected out of RAW pic.twitter.com/B3IFpeUgBG
— Goblin (@TheGoblinnn) February 10, 2023
List of Prohibited Claims That HBI Must Cease Using
The permanent injunction prohibits HBI and its personnel from making any statement or engaging in any promotion or advertising activity that states, implies, or suggests:
- That HBI operates or contributes funds to the RAW Foundation or makes reference to it;
- That RAW cones made from organic Hemp papers are “unrefined,” made with natural hemp gum, or made from or contain hemp;
- That RAW Organic Hemp papers are the world’s first or only organic rolling papers;
- That RAW Organic Hemp papers are made in Alcoy, Spain, the birthplace of rolling papers;
- That RAW Cones Organic Hemp papers are made using wind power;
- That HBI uses or used the center of the hemp stalk for its RAW Organic Hemp papers;
- That Joshua Kesselman, invented rolling paper pre-rolled cones;
- That OCB Organic Hemp papers are knock-offs of RAW.
What do you think of the Raw Story? What Are Your Favorite Rolling Papers?
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