A crypto weed vape that claims to give you Bitcoin for every hit has been found to be far less rewarding than advertised. The device, called Gudtrip, was promoted heavily on social media with slogans like 'every hit delivers Bitcoin' and 'smoke weed and earn Bitcoin.' However, after weeks of investigation, it turns out the Bitcoin reward is not tied to consumption but is a one-time bonus upon activation.
The Search for Gudtrip
The journey began on 4/20, the high holiday for cannabis enthusiasts, when a Slack message appeared with a thumbnail of a man exhaling vapor and the words 'every hit delivers Bitcoin.' The ad claimed to be for a device called Gudtrip, described as 'the first agentic cannabis device' combining 'premium cannabis, blockchain rewards, and AI-powered asset tools.' Despite the tech buzzwords, the product seemed too good to be true. The website listed availability in California and New York as 'coming soon,' with the brand behind it being Puffpaw, known for its 'world's first gamified smart vape' for nicotine.
Social Media Hype
Gudtrip's social media accounts were active with posts promising Bitcoin rewards. A pinned post on X read 'Smoke weed and earn @Bitcoin,' while another asked New Yorkers if they were ready to 'smoke a joint and earn bitcoin.' On Threads, the company posted about 'building wealth one puff at a time,' and a TikTok video described the vape as 'the high that pays you back.' This convinced the reporter that the product might be real, but how it worked remained a mystery.
Regulatory Concerns
Weed is legal in California, but products are regulated. The California Department of Cannabis Control had not heard of Gudtrip and reached out to the manufacturer to learn more. The product claimed to be available in only two stores in California, one of which was the NUG Cannabis Dispensary in Oakland. A colleague visited the dispensary and found a large Gudtrip poster promising 'ongoing Crypto Rewards over time' and 'Get High. Get Bitcoin.' The vape was purchased for $67 after tax.
The Contradiction
When asked how the rewards work, Gudtrip's CTO, Rishi Kommuri, revealed a surprising fact: 'It is actually illegal to offer financial incentives per consumption type.' He clarified that the Bitcoin reward is decoupled from consumption and paid upfront on activation, not per puff. This contradicted the company's own marketing, which stated 'every inhale syncs with your phone and earns bitcoin.' Kommuri explained that the per-puff points system was a legacy feature no longer provided, and the 'ongoing crypto rewards' referred to a future portfolio management feature that does not yet exist.
The Reality
Testing the vape revealed that after linking it to the Gudtrip app, a one-time Bitcoin reward of $2 was given. No additional Bitcoin was earned from simulated puffing. The app tracks Gudtrip Points, which are non-monetary and not redeemable for cash or crypto. To get another Bitcoin reward, a user would need to purchase a new $67 vape. Meanwhile, several social media posts that promised crypto rewards disappeared, and the website was updated to weaken the connection between smoking and earning crypto.
In the end, the vape is real, but the promise of earning Bitcoin with every hit is false. The product is a clever marketing gimmick that relies on the allure of crypto to sell a standard disposable vape.
