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Weed Measurements Guide
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How to Measure Cannabis
Within the United States, cannabis measurements are based on the imperial system. As such, we’ll be following this system for the remainder of the article. However, you may find that other parts of the world base their measurements on the metric system.
Still, even in the United States, cannabis is measured in grams – a part of the metric system. That said, you’ll need to know how the imperial unit of ounces converts to grams.
For simplicity, we invite you to use the following as a reference:
- Eighth Ounce – 3.5 grams
- Quarter Ounce – 7 grams
- Half Ounce – 14 grams
- Ounce – 28 grams
- Pound – 453 grams
Weed Measurement Guide
The importance of understanding weed measurements goes beyond getting stumped. In legal states, there are laws pertaining to how much marijuana you’re legally allowed to be in possession of.
For example, in California, you’re allowed up to one ounce of cannabis flower. However, in New York, you’re allowed up to 3 ounces. That said, it’s vital you check the laws of your local jurisdiction to better understand the amount of marijuana you’re allowed to have on you.
Furthermore, the price you pay for cannabis ultimately comes down to the weight. Naturally, the more you buy, the more the price will go up. However, you’ll notice the price per gram decreases as you purchase more in bulk.
That said, here’s what you need to know about each weight class:
Grams
Grams are typically the smallest amount of cannabis you can purchase at one time. This makes it a great option if you’re looking to try varying marijuana strains – especially if you’re consuming cannabis for a specific reason.
A gram of marijuana provides you with just enough to roll a joint or two. That said, you may receive a medium- to large-sized bud or two small buds.
How Much Does it Cost?
In most legal locations, a gram will not run you more than $20.00 USD. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on varying factors, including the strain, quality, and manufacturer.
Eighth Ounce
An eighth refers to about 3.5 grams of marijuana. For moderate consumers, this is an ideal amount. It will provide you with about two to four buds of flower – depending on the size of the cannabis buds. However, it may also come in a few dozen tiny buds.
Since an eighth is the most commonly purchased amount of cannabis, you’ll tend to find the best quality cannabis at a dispensary in this weight measurement. That said, even if you’re a newcomer or frequent cannabis user, we definitely recommend purchasing in this size.
How Much Does it Cost?
The price of eighths varies more than the price of grams. In most instances, you’ll pay between $30.00 USD and $70.00 USD depending on the quality. However, we have seen eighths go for more or less than this price range.
Quarter Ounce
Moderate to frequent cannabis users will likely purchase marijuana in a quarter ounce (or 7 grams). This garners you about a handful of weed buds (potentially two depending on the density and size of the buds).
Moderate users may purchase a quarter if they’re fond of a particular strain. Frequent cannabis users are more likely to purchase a quarter if they enjoy a strain, but it’s not their particular favorite.
How Much Does it Cost?
Quarters tend to range from $50.00 USD to $100.00 USD. However, the price will largely depend on when you’re purchasing. For example, if you buy during harvest season, you may find a quarter of marijuana for as little as $20.00 USD.
Half Ounce
A half an ounce (often just referred to as a “half”) of cannabis is 14 grams total. This weight measurement is usually exclusive to frequent marijuana users as it’ll provide you with two handfuls (sometimes more) of bud. Still, moderate users may purchase such an amount if they’re looking to save on the price per gram and have a stash ready for the next month or so.
How Much Does it Cost?
A half of cannabis will run you between $90.00 USD and $160.00 USD. This price range varies so much due to the many factors contributing to it, including the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration, the quality, the manufacturer, and the strain.
Ounce
In most legal states, an ounce of weed (or 28 grams) is the most you can buy at one time. In the majority of cases, ounces are only purchased by frequent cannabis users and tend to last anywhere from one to two months. Even in these cases, ounces are usually exclusively purchased for a user’s favorite strain.
How Much Does it Cost?
In the United States, an ounce of marijuana will run you anywhere from $160.00 USD to $350.00 USD. While the initial price point is steep, this is the most price-effective means of buying cannabis. The larger quantities you buy, the less you’re paying per gram. So, it’s worth considering if you find yourself going to the dispensary frequently.
Pound
A pound of marijuana is about 453 grams and an exclusively wholesale quantity. That said, if you’re a cannabis consumer, you’re likely never going to run into this amount (and you certainly won’t in legally-operated dispensaries). However, if you own and operate a cannabis business, such weight measurement is worth becoming familiar with.
How Much Does it Cost?
On average, the price of a pound of weed is $1,600.00 USD.
Cannabis Weight Comparisons
If you’re buying from a legal cannabis dispensary, the marijuana is likely already weighed and packaged. That said, you don’t have to worry too much about receiving a smaller weight measurement than what you paid for.
Still, some dispensaries will weigh products only after a purchase is made. On top of this, there’s always a risk of not receiving the full amount when purchasing cannabis from the black market.
As such, you’ll want to ensure you’re receiving the amount you paid for. The best way to do this is through a scale. However, if you don’t have one, you can refer to the following cannabis weight comparisons:
- A gram of weed is about the size of a grape.
- An eighth of marijuana is about the size of a kiwi fruit.
- A quarter of cannabis is about the size of an apple.
- A half of weed is about the size of a blood orange.
- An ounce of marijuana is about the size of a coconut.
- A pound of cannabis is about the size of a large watermelon.
Weed Measurements Guide FAQs
The amount of grams found in a joint of cannabis ultimately depends on you. In other words, you can put as little or as much as you want in a joint. Typically, 1 gram of marijuana will give you 1 to 2 joints.
The cost of an eighth largely depends on where you live. However, on average, 3.5 grams of marijuana costs $35.00 USD.
The slang for half an ounce of marijuana is a “half zip” or a “half O.”
