Dorm-Room Beginnings

In 2017, two USC sophomores—Riley McDonnell (known as @lifeofbako) and Sam Abdallah developed an idea to make glass trading safer. At the time, most transactions occurred through risky Instagram DMs, so they integrated escrow protections into their platform. The goal was simple: connect buyers and sellers through transparency and trust, not random trades.

Pivot to Apps

The first version of GlassPass struggled to gain traction, but in 2021 the founders relaunched on iOS and Android. The updated app quickly took off, reaching tens of thousands of users and generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in verified transactions. The glass community had found a reliable platform.

Escrow Edge

GlassPass introduced an escrow-based payment system that holds funds until the buyer confirms receipt. Sellers must follow strict packaging and shipping standards, and unboxing videos are used for verification. Whether a $300 spoon or a $10,000 heady rig, every transaction is designed for accountability.

Payouts and Flow

Tiered seller fees created a fair marketplace structure, while buyer protection added an extra layer of safety. Payouts are managed through Dots wallets, with faster disbursement available to trusted sellers—ensuring smooth liquidity across the platform.

Names on Deck

GlassPass hosts listings from top-tier glass artists such as Mothership, Toro Glass, Salt Glass, Elbo Glass, Quave Glass, Darby Holm, Eusheen, Banjo, Mike Luna, AKM, and Nathan Miers. Most current listings are collector resales rather than direct artist drops, though upcoming auctions and verified releases are in development.

Rebuild Era

In 2024, the platform underwent a complete code rebuild featuring binding offers, instant purchases, written reviews, and a Google-indexed web interface. With a user base surpassing 100,000, GlassPass transitioned from a simple app into a comprehensive digital marketplace for glass collectors.

Cultural Recognition

Media outlets including Insider, Leaf Mag, Budsfeed, Cannabis Creative, and Silicon Valley Business Journal highlighted GlassPass’s success, recognizing Riley McDonnell as a Gen Z entrepreneur redefining heady glass as collectible art.

Puffcon 2025

GlassPass is confirmed as a sponsor of Puffcon LA 2025, scheduled for October 4–5. The event will feature over 100 artists, five live glassblowing demonstrations, music, food, and one of the largest open-air glass sessions in downtown Los Angeles.

Impact

What began as a dorm-room concept has evolved into a secure, transparent, and community-driven platform. Artists, collectors, and galleries now have a trusted space to buy, sell, and showcase glass. GlassPass has become more than a marketplace—it is the backbone of modern glass commerce.

YOUTUBE VIDEO

— Nugg Notes

SOURCES:

• Davis, Dominic-Madori. “The Gen Zer Who Launched a Website for Artists to Buy and Sell High-End Bongs Believes People Will Soon Collect Them like Fine China.” Business Insider, 28 Dec. 2021, www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-founder-riley-mcdonnell-sells-high-end-bongs-on-glasspass-2021-12. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• McDonnell, Riley. “Throwback: Spotlight on GlassPass from 2020.” GlassPass Merch Blog, 16 Sept. 2023 (orig. 19 Feb. 2020 by Sam Abdallah), shop.glasspass.com/blogs/glasspass-blog/throwback-article-spotlight-on-glasspass. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• “How Does GlassPass Work?” GlassPass, glasspass.com/how-it-works. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• “Unboxing Guidelines.” GlassPass, glasspass.com/unboxing-guide. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• “Shipping Guide.” GlassPass, last updated 1 Jan. 2024, glasspass.com/shipping-guide. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• GlassPass | Glass Marketplace. App Store, Apple, 22 Sept. 2021, apps.apple.com/us/app/glasspass-glass-marketplace/id1515823507. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• GlassPass | Buy & Sell Glass. Google Play, play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.glasspass.app. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• McDonnell, Riley. “GlassPass Launches New Website and Mobile App.” GlassPass App Blog, 19 Sept. 2024, shop.glasspass.com/blogs/app/glasspass-launches-new-website-and-mobile-app. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• McDonnell, Riley. “GlassPass Major 2024 Update: New Features & Complete Redesign.” GlassPass App Blog, 8 Jan. 2024, shop.glasspass.com/blogs/app/glasspass-major-update-2024. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• “GlassPass Community Guidelines.” GlassPass, glasspass.com/community-guidelines. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• GlassPass – Mothership (artist directory page). GlassPass, glasspass.com/artists/mothership. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• GlassPass – Toro Glass (artist directory page). GlassPass, glasspass.com/artists/toroglass. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• GlassPass – Salt (artist directory page). GlassPass, glasspass.com/artists/salt-glass. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• GlassPass – Elbo (artist directory page). GlassPass, glasspass.com/artists/elbo. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.

• GlassPass – Quave Glass (artist directory page). GlassPass, glasspass.com/artists/quave. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• GlassPass – Darby Holm (artist directory page). GlassPass, glasspass.com/artists/darby-holm. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• GlassPass – Nathan Miers (artist directory page). GlassPass, glasspass.com/artists/nathan-miers. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• Reilly, Jessica. “Cannabis Creative Interview: GlassPass.” Cannabis Creative Blog, 10 Dec. 2021, cannabiscreative.blog/2021/12/10/cannabis-creative-interview-glasspass/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• “Cannabis Creative Interview: GlassPass.” YouTube, uploaded by Cannabis Creative Blog, 10 Dec. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdFdxQ_ltXw. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• “How It Started: Building a Community with Riley McDonnell, Founder & CEO of GlassPass.” Budsfeed, 7 Sept. 2022, budsfeed.com/blogpost/how-it-started-building-a-community-with-riley-mcdonnell-founder–ceo-of-1662659240742x374125428038697000. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• “High APPtitude.” LEAF Magazine, leafmagazines.com/profiles/high-apptitude. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• Mendez, Andrew. “InnoUnder25: Riley McDonnell of GlassPass.” Silicon Valley Business Journal, 15 Sept. 2023, www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/inno/stories/awards/2023/09/15/innounder25-riley-mcdonnell-of-glasspass.html. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. 

• GlassPass (Official). Instagram post, 24 Sept. 2025, instagram.com/p/C_hY0pnOLbH/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. (Sponsorship announcement for Puffcon LA 2025.) 

• GlassPass (Official). Instagram post, 27 Sept. 2025, instagram.com/p/C_nmm8oRwW5/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025. (Sponsor call-to-action / event info.) 

• “Puffco Announces Full Lineup for 5th Annual Puffcon Block Party in LA, Expands to Two Days for 2025.” GlobeNewswire, 12 Aug. 2025, globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/08/12/3132028/0/en/Puffco-Announces-Full-Lineup-for-5th-Annual-Puffcon-Block-Party-in-LA-Expands-to-Two-Days-for-2025.html. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.