High Times Magazine Acquired for $3.5M by RAW Rolling Papers Owner

Founded in 1974, High Times rose to prominence as an underground icon. In recent years, the brand fell into receivership, leaving its future uncertain. Josh Kesselman, Founder of RAW Rolling Papers, has personally purchased High Times and its associated assets in an all-cash transaction. Kesselman wants the rebirth of High Times to galvanize the cannabis community and reinvigorate the interest of newer generations in this incredible culture and its legends.Courtesy of Just Jessse[PRESS RELEASE] – PHOENIX, June 17, 2025 – High Times, the single most recognized brand in counterculture, cannabis and psychedelics, has been resurrected and is set to resume publication, Cannabis Cups and the rebuilding of a free-thinking counterculture community.

Josh Kesselman, the entrepreneur and founder of RAW Rolling Papers, has personally purchased exclusively the magazine, Cannabis Cups and associated assets in an all-cash transaction. Alongside partner and former 2000s-era High Times co-owner Matt Stang, this $3.5 million acquisition revives the publishing powerhouse that featured counterculture legends like Charles Bukowski, Willie Nelson, Debbie Harry, Hunter S. Thompson and Bob Marley.

Founded in 1974, High Times rose to prominence as an underground icon. In recent years, the brand fell into receivership, leaving its future uncertain. Kesselman wants its rebirth to galvanize the cannabis community and reinvigorate newer generations’ interest in this incredible culture and its legends.

“This is a ‘pinch yourself’ kind of moment for me, just unbelievable,” Kesselman said. “Eighteen-year-old stoner Josh would be in complete disbelief that I get to bring back a piece of history that has played such an important part in culture and impacted so many lives, including my own. This feels like a dream. Having Matt Stang, an OG and a former owner-operator of the magazine, involved in this acquisition just makes it all come full circle. It’s surreal to be a small part of giving back to the community that helped make me.”

High Times will soon be relaunched as a comprehensive platform serving as a hub for information and connection, mixing legacy with modern relevance. Plans include:

• Relaunching the print magazine in limited-run, collectible editions.
• Reintroducing the iconic Cannabis Cup event series, with third-party judging and zero pay-to-play involvement, returning legitimacy to the industry’s most revered competition.
• Rebuilding the digital platform to host a curated network of cannabis podcasts, experts and community voices.
• Commemorating the brand’s 50-year legacy and heralding the future of free thinking.
• Protecting the truth of the power of the plant.

“This incarnation of High Times is going to be bigger and better than ever,” Stang said. “As an original owner-operator, I’m energized about my partnership with Josh—we’re not just reviving High Times as a news source; we’re positioning it as a guiding light for culture and a definitive authority on all things cannabis and psychedelics. At its heart, this is about reigniting the passion of longtime fans while inspiring a new generation to carry the torch forward. It’s about sharing, connection and honoring the culture that we love so dearly.”

“Our goal is to rebuild the voice of authenticity that defined High Times’ legacy, to cut through the controversy of inaccurate information, create a truly cross-generational community, and restore High Times to its rightful place as an international beacon of counterculture,” Kesselman said. “And most importantly? HAVE FUN while doing it.”

The first revamped Cannabis Cup is expected to return in early 2026.