A colorful new cannabis product has surfaced just in time for the 4/20 celebrations: the Gudtrip weed vape. This device claims to merge the worlds of cannabis consumption and cryptocurrency, asserting that users can earn Bitcoin with every puff. The intriguing pitch and its bold advertising caught the attention of many, prompting a deeper investigation into the legitimacy of the product.
Initially, the website’s description overwhelmed with tech jargon, declaring it “the first agentic cannabis device” that fuses “premium cannabis, blockchain rewards, and AI-powered asset tools.” This flashy marketing led many, including industry experts, to question its authenticity. Despite skepticism surrounding the product’s claims, a hint of credibility emerged from its connection to Puffpaw, another cannabis tech brand proclaiming to be the creator of “the world’s first gamified smart vape” aimed at helping users quit nicotine.
The Gudtrip product reportedly launched quietly in March, with social media posts asking users if they were ready to “smoke a joint and earn bitcoin.” Their promotional content often emphasized the concept of accumulating wealth with every inhale, which further fueled curiosity.
However, attempts to clarify the operational mechanics of the vape led to confusion. Questions arose about how exactly users would earn Bitcoin and whether the vape mined Bitcoin or offered rewards in some other capacity.
Retail verification became a necessity. A U.S. colleague visited the NUG Cannabis Dispensary in Oakland, California, where Gudtrip was purportedly stocked. There, massive posters boldly advertised the claim: “Get High. Get Bitcoin.” This scenario confirmed the product’s existence, leading to a purchase of the vape for $67.
Just as the product was secured, requests for clarity from Gudtrip’s team began to yield even more perplexing responses. Gudtrip’s Chief Technology Officer, Rishi Kommuri, commented on the potential legal implications of offering financial incentives for cannabis use. He disclosed that while initial rewards might be connected to product activation, the promised Bitcoin would not be awarded per puff, which contradicted earlier messaging.
The revelations continued as a colleague downloaded an app associated with the Gudtrip vape, revealing it primarily offered Gudtrip Points instead of Bitcoin for every puff—points that could not be traded for cash, cryptocurrency, or cannabis products. Attempts to understand the app further led to confusion, as the company reverted to stating the per-puff reward system was a “legacy feature.”
With growing uncertainty, a unique approach was taken to validate the product. A makeshift approach using an auto fluid extractor allowed a simulated session to occur. Following the app’s instructions, using the device resulted in a static $2 Bitcoin reward tied to the activation, with no further earnings linked to actual use. This bizarre structure made it clear that continuous use would not lead to further profits—it would require purchasing additional vapes to accumulate any rewards.
In the meantime, Gudtrip appeared to be scrubbing some of its online posts, hinting a reevaluation of its messaging strategy. Changes on their website suggested a distancing from the original claims of users earning cryptocurrency with each inhale.
This ongoing saga has unearthed more than skepticism regarding a cannabis vape but also stirred discussions about regulatory compliance and consumer trust in innovative products that mix technology and traditional methods of consumption. While the Gudtrip vape is indeed real, the substantial claims of earning cryptocurrency with every puff seem largely overstated.
