RAW Rolling Papers Secures Overwhelming Top Spot in High Times Reader Poll

A recent survey conducted by High Times has revealed a decisive favorite among rolling paper brands, with RAW emerging as the clear frontrunner. Out of 809 valid responses from readers and subscribers, more than 82% selected RAW as their top choice, leaving other brands like Zig-Zag and Elements trailing far behind. The poll, which ran exclusively on High Times channels and excluded promotional involvement from any brands, highlights the strong loyalty and preference within the cannabis community for RAW's products

Rolling papers, often considered an essential part of the cannabis ritual, carry a legacy of craftsmanship and personal significance. As detailed in the report, the physical characteristics of rolling papers—such as fiber blends, basis weight, porosity, and watermarking—play a crucial role in the rolling and smoking experience. The survey responses underscored how deeply personal the choice of paper can be, with readers citing factors like burn quality, flavor neutrality, and consistency as key reasons for their loyalty

While RAW dominated the results, a handful of legacy brands maintained a presence in the rankings. Zig-Zag captured nearly 5% of the votes, followed by Elements at just under 3.5% and OCB at 1.7%. Niche and boutique brands such as Blazy Susan, Smoking, Vibes, and Rizla received fewer than 1% of the total responses each. Despite the overwhelming preference for RAW, the comments section revealed a vibrant diversity of opinion, including shoutouts to classics like Club’s no-glue papers and Bob Marley hemp sheets

The survey also addressed potential conflicts of interest, noting that RAW founder Josh Kesselman, who is also the publisher of High Times, did not promote or influence the poll. According to the article, "Josh did not share or promote the poll. RAW did not share or promote the poll. Readers found the poll only through High Times channels." This transparency was intended to ensure that the results reflected genuine reader preferences rather than marketing influence. As one respondent noted, “There’s always a way to make it better,” capturing the community’s ongoing pursuit of the perfect roll

High Times emphasized that the poll reflects subjective preferences rather than market share or scientific evaluation. To address this, the publication is partnering with an independent laboratory to analyze rolling paper performance and composition. The results of these lab tests will be published in the future, offering an objective comparison to the community’s favorites. From OG Lab’s perspective, this poll demonstrates the emotional and ritualistic value consumers place on rolling papers, but the upcoming lab data could reshape perceptions by introducing new performance metrics into the conversation. For the cannabis industry, understanding both consumer sentiment and scientific results will be essential in shaping future product innovation and brand loyalty