There are very few brands that are creating as much excitement and confusion as Cake Carts. Brands such as Cake are advertising items like "She Hits Different" and are extremely popular in smoke shops and online marketplaces. But for every single product that is genuine, there are numerous fake versions of the product available. This guide will help you identify what is authentic Cake and what is not as well as give you the necessary steps to ensure your own protection.
Overview: The Popularity and Peril of Cake Carts
Cake has established itself as a prominent player in the hemp-derived cannabinoid industry with its offerings of Delta-8, Delta-10, THC-A, and THC-P disposable and cartridge-based products. Cake has positioned itself to be a fun, easy-to-access alternative for cannabis users, with multiple flavor options and stylish, compact product design; and user reviews typically compliment the ease of use, the taste and potency of the product along with the relaxation and calming effect it provides.
However, while this appeal to a large number of consumers can also make Cake a popular target for counterfeits — due to its affordable prices and high demand — many of these counterfeit products are being sold by unauthorized vendors on the "gray" market — making it difficult for consumers to verify if the product they purchased is authentic or not. While other brands are operating in a regulated environment (such as California) that allows for the verification of their products, Cake operates in an environment where the authenticity of their products is not clearly defined.
Are Cake Carts a Real Brand?
Cake is an actual cannabis brand. Online platforms such as cakebrand.com and shehitsdifferent.com display a variety of products offered by the company; disposable items and electronic rigs. The company presents itself as a reputable organization that cares about the quality of its products and the safety of its customers; providing lab testing reports and product verification tools.
However, the heart of the issue is the matter of regulatory compliance. According to the cannabis industry, Cake does not have licenses to sell cannabis in many regulated states (for example, where there is a legal market for medical or adult-use cannabis); therefore, Cake's products rarely appear on the shelves of licensed and regulated dispensaries. On the other hand, Cake products are generally available from online vendors, smoke shops, gas stations and convenience stores; which are all much less heavily regulated than traditional retail channels.
In this way, the absence of a tracked supply chain for a formally licensed cannabis brand opens up opportunities for counterfeiters. With no central authority for verifying the path a product takes from the manufacturer to the point of sale, counterfeit products may be easily distributed throughout the marketplace.
Why Cake Carts Are So Heavily Counterfeited
The reasons listed above explain why Cake carts are easily counterfeited:
- Demand and Ease of Copying the Packaging: The hype surrounding Cake on social media and the visual appeal of the packaging creates an excessive demand for the product. Additionally, the packaging is visually appealing and easy to copy.
- Lack of Authentication System: Without a unified brand-wide authentication system, and without a way for the brand to easily verify a product's authenticity, counterfeiters are able to easily flood the market with fake products.
- Available Wholesale Packaging: An even more disturbing trend is that empty packaging from Cake are being sold online, and counterfeiters are simply filling the packaging with unknown substances.
- Sale in Unregulated Channels: Cake carts are widely available in gas stations, convenience stores, and unverified websites that rarely sell legitimate, lab-tested cannabis products from regulated brands.
How To Know If A Cake Cart Is Fake
To know whether you are purchasing a genuine or fake product, you need to inspect the product carefully. The following are some of the most obvious indicators of a fake product based on consumer guidelines and health warnings.
The table below summarizes the key differences to look for.
Conclusion: Prioritize Your Safety
It is easy to see why people would be drawn to cake carts; however, the dangers associated with counterfeit carts are extreme and documented throughout history. Your health is of utmost importance. The one action you can take to protect yourself is to buy cannabis products only from a licensed dispensary in your state. Dispensaries are required to provide products that have been tested and certified as safe for consumption and contain accurate amounts of THC.
If you cannot confirm the source of a cart through a reliable channel, then the smartest option is to refrain from using the product. In today’s ever-changing cannabis market, to be an educated, responsible consumer is the best way to keep yourself protected.