How to Spot a Fake Boutiq Cart: A Complete Guide

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Keep yourself safe from fake vapes with our expert advice
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Boutiq is a cannabis brand known for its Switch vapes that have 2 different carts inside. Since they’ve grown in popularity, more fakes have appeared on the black market that are not safe to use. If you want to ensure your Boutiq carts are legit, we’ll help you check if your vape is real or fake . Keep reading to how to spot a fake Boutiq cart and what to do with it if it’s counterfeit. We also spoke to Dr. Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH, a CBD expert, for advice on getting real cannabis products .

Signs of a Fake Boutiq Cart

  • Packaging errors: Fake Boutiq carts have blurry images, misspellings, and inconsistent branding while real products have clear printing.
  • No Certificate of Analysis: Fake Boutiqs aren’t lab-tested while real carts have a certificate with an ingredients list.
  • Poor build quality: Fake Boutiq carts may have rough edges, leaks, or weak materials while real vapes have seamless craftsmanship.
  • Cheap prices: Fake Boutiqs have prices that are too good to be true due to low-quality ingredients.
Section 1 of 6:

Are Boutiq carts real or fake?

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  1. 1
    We aren’t able to determine if Boutiq carts are real or fake. While some people online believe that Boutiq is a real brand selling official products, others think the Boutiq carts on the market are fakes. Because Boutiq has exploded in popularity, buyers have concerns about fakes, or “boofs,” being sold alongside regular carts.
    • Other users on the r/fakecartridges subreddit have mentioned that Boutiq products they’ve bought don’t hit them very hard or have a weak flavor, which makes them think the carts are counterfeit.
    • Some people claim that older models of empty Boutiq Switch carts are sold online, meaning anyone can buy and fill them without you knowing what’s actually inside.

    Meet the wikiHow Expert

    Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH is the founder of the Center for Medical Cannabis Education who advises companies on the changing science and regulations for cannabis use.

  2. 2
    Multiple websites claim to be the official Boutiq site. When you try to find the Boutiq brand site, there are a lot of URLs that look official at first but are more questionable when you scroll through them. Legitimate sites for cannabis brands typically have age verification and a store locator, but these features are missing on the “official” Boutiq sites.
    • Legit cannabis sites also don’t sell products directly to their customers while many of the listed Boutiq sites have products available.
    • Some of the websites that claim to be the “official” Boutiq site include:
      • boutiqinternational.com
      • boutiqcarts.co
      • boutiquecarts.com
      • boutiqcart.com
      • boutiqofficial.com
      • officialboutiqswitch.com
      • boutiqswitchbrand.com
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Section 2 of 6:

Are fake Boutiq carts safe?

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  1. Fake vape cartridges could contain harmful chemicals. Fake vape cartridges aren’t regulated or inspected, so it’s a mystery what they actually contain. Some studies have found chemical pesticides and metal contaminants in black market vape carts, which can lead to lung damage and chest pain. [1]
    • Counterfeit vapes also may contain vitamin E acetate that is used to thicken vape oil but could get caught in your lungs. [2]
    • Because fake vapes are unregulated and could contain THC, they may be considered illegal products that could get you into trouble if you buy them. [3]
    • If you already have a fake cart, read our advice on what to do next .
Section 3 of 6:

How to Spot Fake Boutiq Carts

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  1. 1
    Packaging errors Legit vape brands have high-quality packaging with clear printing and images to ensure they’re putting out the best product. Counterfeit vapes may be rushed and packaged quickly, so they usually have blurry images, misspelled text, inconsistent logos, or even damage on the container. [4]
  2. 2
    No ingredients listed Dr. Corroon notes that cannabis label requirements require brands to “clearly state the amount of THC, CBD, and any other active ingredient.” He also mentions that inactive ingredients would also be included in the list. [5] If you don’t see any ingredients listed on the Boutiq packaging, then it’s probably a fake.
  3. 3
    No Certificate of Analysis “The current concern related to vaping is associated with potentially harmful ingredients in the oil,” says Dr. Corroon. Typically, vape carts have a QR code or link to the Certificate of Analysis to verify the product. If you can’t verify your Boutiq vape, he says it’s best to avoid vaping it. [6]
    • Some people have bought fake Boutiq products that have QR or verification codes that lead to an error page instead of the certificate.
  4. 4
    Poor craftsmanship A real Boutiq vape has a smooth finish and buttons that are easy to push down. A fake product may have rough edges, loose buttons, or flimsier material. Fake Boutiq carts may also be lighter or heavier than real cards because they use different components. If you notice any signs that look off, then assume you have a fake. [7]
    • Some users have noticed their fake Boutiq products leak vape oil.
  5. 5
    Burnt or chemical flavors Real Boutiq vapes will have a smooth, flavorful vapor that’s consistent each time you take a hit. If your vape has a weak or unpleasant flavor, or if the amount of vapor changes between hits, it’s a good indication that you bought a fake product. [8]
  6. 6
    Extremely low price Real vapes and Boutiq products are more expensive because of their high-quality ingredients and testing. Because fake vapes are lower quality and unregulated, they’re sold for much cheaper so you’re more tempted to buy them.
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Section 4 of 6:

What to Do with a Fake Cart

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  1. 1
    Stop using the vape. Because a fake Boutiq cart may contain unsafe ingredients, don’t take any hits from it. If you have already taken hits from a fake vape, avoid taking any more. Monitor how you feel over the next hour or two to see if you feel any adverse reactions, like nausea or stomach pain. If you start to have severe pains or symptoms, contact your doctor for the next steps. [9]
  2. 2
    Report fake vape sellers to local law enforcement. Contact your local police department and inform them of the store selling counterfeit products. Let them know when you purchased the vape and why you suspect that it’s a fake. They will investigate and take the next steps to keep fakes out of the black market.
    • Even if cannabis is illegal in your area, you can report black market sellers with an anonymous tip.
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Section 5 of 6:

Where to Buy Real Vape Carts

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  1. Buy vapes from a licensed dispensary. Dr. Corroon states: “Licensed businesses must comply with regulations that promote safety and product quality.” To ensure the dispensary is operating legally, they should display their license prominently inside and on their website. [10]
    • Dr. Corroon warns to “be wary of sales representatives that act like healthcare professionals and make therapeutic claims about products” because they may be trying to push the product on you. [11]
    • Many states have a dispensary lookup on their government website to check if a business is legit or not. Search for your state followed by “cannabis license lookup” and browse for businesses near you.
Section 6 of 6:

Fake Vape Carts FAQ

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  1. 1
    Is Boutiq a dispensary brand? Boutiq used to have a branded dispensary near Venice Beach in California, but it is now permanently closed. Some Boutiq carts and products may still be available at other licensed dispensaries, but they no longer have a standalone location.
  2. 2
    What cart brands are real? All cart brands sold at a licensed dispensary are legit and safe to use. Vape carts have to go through lab testing and inspections before they can be sold at a dispensary, so you can ensure that the products you buy are real.
    • Always be a little cautious of vape carts you can buy online. If they don’t ask you to verify your age or if they use odd payment methods, like cryptocurrency or Zelle, then the site is most likely a counterfeit.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7355865/
      2. ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-truths-you-need-to-know-about-vaping
      3. ↑ https://www.nuggmd.com/blog/the-dangers-of-fake-carts
      4. ↑ https://www.generationv.com/2024/08/15/how-to-tell-if-a-vape-is-fake/
      5. ↑ Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH. Medical Director of the Center for Medical Cannabis Education. Expert Interview
      6. ↑ Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH. Medical Director of the Center for Medical Cannabis Education. Expert Interview
      7. ↑ https://www.generationv.com/2024/08/15/how-to-tell-if-a-vape-is-fake/
      8. ↑ https://thevapourhut.com/guides/how-to-spot-a-fake-disposable-vape/
      9. ↑ https://www.health.ny.gov/press/releases/2019/2019-09-05_vaping.htm
      1. ↑ Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH. Medical Director of the Center for Medical Cannabis Education. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH. Medical Director of the Center for Medical Cannabis Education. Expert Interview

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