How to Check if Gold Coast Clear Vapes are Real or Fake

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Determine if your vape is the real deal with our expert advice

Co-authored by Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: November 23, 2025 Fact Checked

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Spotting Fakes

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Is GCC real?

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Are fakes safe?

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Where to Buy

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If You Bought a Fake…

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Warnings

Gold Coast Clear disposables and carts are some of the latest THC vapes on the market, but there’s a lot of debate about whether they’re real or fake. While it’s not clear if the brand is real, it’s easy to spot a counterfeit vape from a real one. Keep reading, and we’ll cover all the common signs to look out for, as well as common safety concerns about fakes. We also spoke with cannabis expert Dr. Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH, for advice on spotting fakes and where to buy real vapes.

Signs of a Fake vs Real Gold Coast Clear Vape

Real Gold Coast Clear vapes have high-quality packaging, solid construction, and light-colored oil with a pleasant flavor. A fake Gold Coast Clear vape has misspellings, poor craftsmanship, and discolored oil with a chemical taste.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Spot a Fake Gold Coast Clear Vape

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1
Packaging errors Real vapes will have premium packaging that’s well-constructed and free of spelling errors so it looks like a high-quality product. Counterfeit Gold Coast Clear vapes may have misspellings on the package, low-resolution graphics, or misprinted packages.^{[1]
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- In a video by Gold Coast Clear, they explain that the logos and characters on their boxes have shiny spot UV treatments, gold foil, or embossed edges around the product names.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH, is a cannabis expert and clinical researcher who founded the Center for Medical Cannabis Education.
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No certificate of analysis or lab tests Dr. Corroon explains, “Marijuana product labels should clearly state the amount of THC, CBD, and any other active ingredients,” as well as inactive ingredients that could cause an allergic reaction.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH
Cannabis Expert

Expert Interview} Real cannabis products will have the information listed on the package or have a QR code linking to the certificates and lab tests. If you don’t see them on the packaging, then you’re dealing with a counterfeit.
- Dr. Corroon also notes that state marijuana laws vary, so the information on the label may vary from state to state.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH
  Cannabis Expert
  
  Expert Interview}
- Some fake vapes may have QR codes that lead to broken links or unofficial-looking authentication sites.
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A real vape or cartridge has a clean construction made from quality materials, so they won’t have any sharp edges or misaligned pieces. If you notice that pieces aren’t lining up or have loose connecting points, it might be a sign that it’s a fake pieced together from different parts.^{[4]
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Cannabis oil in a real vape has a light color and flows easily inside the cartridge. If the oil looks dark, cloudy, or filled with sediment, it could be a sign that you have a fake vape. If the oil is really thick and doesn’t flow easily, it’s another sign you have a low-quality product.^{[5]
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Vapes usually have a slight flavor depending on the cannabis strain, and it will have a pleasant taste. Counterfeit vapes may contain different chemical contaminants, so they tend to have a chemical or metallic aftertaste when you take a hit.^{[6]
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Real vapes will make consistent amounts of vapor and give you similar effects every time you take a hit. If you notice that some hits are really weak while the next ones are really strong, it could be a sign that you have a fake.^{[7]
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Lower prices than expected Vapes sold at licensed dispensaries are priced a little higher because they go through lab testing and have a good reputation. If you got your Gold Coast Clear cartridge or disposable for a lot cheaper than a similar-quality vape, then there’s a good chance that it’s a counterfeit and hasn’t been tested.^{[8]
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- If you purchased the vape from someone you know or an online seller, there’s a good chance that it’s fake because it’s not from a licensed retailer.^{[9]
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  Science Direct
  Online archive of peer-reviewed research on scientific, technical and medical topics
  
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Section 2 of 5:

Is Gold Coast Clear a real brand?

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It’s unclear whether Gold Coast Clear is real or a black market brand. While some users have no issues with their Gold Coast Clear vapes or carts, users on a Reddit post by @CombinationSea6971 in the r/fakecartridges subreddit claim the brand is fake. Gold Coast Clear has also not been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which could be a sign that they’re not completely legitimate.^{[10]
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Nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting marketplace trustworthiness by educating consumers and reviewing businesses

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- One Reddit post claims that the QR code and authenticity code on their Gold Coast Clear vape didn’t lead to a site with lab results like they expected, and it raised some red flags.
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Multiple URLs claim to be the official Gold Coast Clear website. While it seems that there’s an official site, Facebook page, and Instagram, none of them provide a lot of information about the brand or products. The “official” website doesn’t have an online store, which is normally a good sign because official cannabis brands don’t sell directly from their site. However, some sections of the site aren’t filled out, and a few links are broken.
- Other counterfeit sites claiming to be Gold Coast Clear include:
  - goldcoastclearsbrand.com
  - goldcoastclear.co
  - goldcoastclearcarts.com
  - goldcoastclearofficial.com

Section 3 of 5:

Are fake Gold Coast Clear vapes safe?

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No, fake vapes are not safe and could contain harmful chemicals. Dr. Corroon says, “The current concern related to vaping is associated with potentially harmful ingredients in the oil.”^{[11]
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Expert Source

Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH
Cannabis Expert

Expert Interview} Black market vapes aren’t inspected for quality and don’t have lab testing, so you can never be sure what they actually contain. If you suspect that your Gold Coast Clear vape is fake, avoid using it.
- Black market vapes also have been known to have harmful chemicals such as pesticides.^{[12]
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- Unregulated vapes have been known to use vitamin E acetate, a thickener linked to serious lung injury known as EVALI.^{[13]
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Section 4 of 5:

Where to Buy Real Gold Coast Clear Vapes

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Dr. Corroon says to “ensure that the dispensary is licensed by the state and operating legally.” He mentions that licensed businesses have to follow safety protocols and ensure their product is high quality.^{[14]
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Expert Source

Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH
Cannabis Expert

Expert Interview} Check for a license displayed in the dispensary or on their website before buying from them.

Section 5 of 5:

What to Do if You Buy a Fake Vape

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Dr. Corroon says, “It is best to avoid vaping…unless you can access a Certificate of Analysis to verify the ingredients and amounts contained within the vape cartridge.”^{[15]
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Expert Source

Jamie Corroon, ND, MPH
Cannabis Expert

Expert Interview} Because you can’t confirm what’s inside a fake vape, stop using it to avoid potential injuries or side effects.
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Contact law enforcement to report the seller. When you reach out, let them know who sold you the vape, where you bought it, and why you suspect that it’s a fake. They will investigate the issue so they can put a stop to others buying fake vapes that are potentially dangerous.
- If cannabis is illegal in your area, then make an anonymous tip if you’re worried about getting in trouble.

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Warnings

Buying fake vapes from an unlicensed seller could also get you in legal trouble, especially if you live in an area where cannabis use is illegal.

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While the full long-term effects of vaping THC products are unknown, those that contain vitamin E acetate have been known to cause lung injury and respiratory illnesses like EVALI.^{[16]
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