OAKLAND — Gudtrip, a cannabis vape product combining premium cannabis, blockchain rewards, and AI-powered asset tools, launched in Oakland, California, prompting scrutiny over marketing claims that appeared to link Bitcoin earnings directly to product use. The product became available at NUG Cannabis Dispensary in Oakland, where a Gudtrip vape device was purchased for $67 after tax, and promotional materials displayed messages such as 'Get High. Get Bitcoin' and 'ongoing Crypto Rewards over time.' Gudtrip’s social media accounts on X, Threads, and TikTok advertised the product with slogans like 'Smoke weed and earn @Bitcoin' and 'Earn Bitcoin from every single puff.' Its website also featured a video stating that 'every inhale syncs with your phone and earns bitcoin and gudtrip points in real time.'
Rishi Kommuri, Gudtrip’s CTO, stated in an email that it is illegal to offer financial incentives per consumption and that the company’s Bitcoin reward is decoupled from usage. He clarified that the Bitcoin reward is paid upfront upon activation and does not scale with puff duration, session count, daily use, or streaks. Kommuri added that Gudtrip Points are a separate, non-monetary loyalty system tracked in-app and are not redeemable for cash, cryptocurrency, or cannabis products.
A preview screenshot of the Gudtrip app on TestFlight, available via a QR code at the Oakland dispensary, displayed rewards for puffs in the form of Gudtrip Points, not cryptocurrency. Kommuri stated that the per-puff points shown in the app screenshot were a legacy feature from other smart hardware products and are no longer provided. He explained that the phrase 'ongoing crypto rewards over time' refers to a future portfolio management feature in the app, not current earnings tied to consumption.
California’s Department of Cannabis Control has taken notice. Jordan Traverso, the agency’s deputy director of public affairs, stated that the department had not previously heard of Gudtrip but had reached out to the manufacturer to learn more. Gudtrip’s website listed the product as available in California, with New York marked as 'coming soon.'