Dimebags and twenty-sacks were the weed measurements of the past. Today, things are a tad more sophisticated when it comes to the ganja.
With marijuana legalization hitting more and more states every year, you no longer have to rely on the shady-looking guy downtown for your weed fix. But visualizing different measurements is easier said than done.
So, in this guide, we’ve provided a visual weed scale to enable you to understand precisely what you’re getting for your hard-earned dollars.
Table of Contents
Why You Need to Know Your Weed Measurements
So, you know how to roll a blunt, and you’ve been smoking for years, so surely you know whether you’ve got a gram or an eighth on your hands?
The truth is humans are notoriously poor at telling the difference between weight and mass. When comparing Indica vs. Sativa, the same weight can look very different.
For example, Indicas are stockier plants with dense buds. On the other hand, Sativas are longer and more stretched. The same goes for different individual strains. You could have a gram of Jack Herer and a gram of Northern Lights. But put them next to each other, and they can look like two different quantities.
Think about it like the pound of feathers vs. the pound of gold riddle.
In other words, don’t rely on sight alone to figure out your weed measurements because there’s a high chance that you’re getting it wrong.
Weed Measurements – Your Guide to Popular Weights
With 23 states legalizing recreational marijuana, you can walk into your local dispensary and buy some fresh herb if you live in one of these states. But how do you know how much is enough for your needs?
Let’s discuss some of the most common weights.
A Gram of Weed
The humble gram is the minimum amount of weed most dispensaries will require you to buy. Thankfully, few people have ever walked into a dispensary and wanted anything less.
If you’re buying a gram of your favorite marijuana strain, this is enough to make two small joints or one large one.
Purchasing a gram is the ideal amount if you want to sample a new flavor for the first time.
An Eighth of Weed
Working out how much is an eighth of weed can confuse newer buyers because the term originates from the streets.
Before Colorado and Washington legalized weed in 2012, this would be a common amount bought on the street. Buying an eighth would yield 3.5 grams of cannabis, which can make seven small joints or three large joints.
Today, it’s the most popular purchase amount for consumers, meaning dispensaries often save their densest nugs for these products.
A Quarter of Weed
A quarter of weed is twice the amount of an eighth, meaning you will have seven grams of weed in your stash.
At this level, this is where you’re starting to possess larger quantities of herb. In terms of a quarter, this would fill an average-sized sunglasses case.
Half of Weed
Due to the quantities involved and the margin of error, a half of weed is difficult to visualize because it will depend on the strain you’re buying.
But a half of weed consists of 14 grams, which equals half an ounce. If you’re exploring edibles or looking to assemble a party batch of weed recipes, a half is an ideal amount to buy.
Visually, a half should fill a standard-sized sandwich bag.
An Ounce of Weed
Buying one whole ounce is nothing new. Hardcore marijuana smokers have been buying marijuana in these amounts for years, but how many grams are in an ounce?
With an ounce, you’ve got 28 grams of weed, which can roll you 28 large joints or 56 smaller ones. In slang, an ounce is also known as a zip of weed.
Generally, if you want to know what an ounce of weed looks like, it’s the equivalent of a small coconut.
Many states set the maximum dispensary purchase limit at one single ounce, but some states have departed from this standard. For example, Michigan permits purchases of up to 2.5 ounces of weed during a single visit.
A Pound of Weed
A pound of weed is the last of the major weed measurements you’ll encounter. No state in the nation will allow an individual consumer to purchase a whole pound of weed in a single sitting. Instead, if you’re buying in these amounts, you’re either a grower, a dispensary manager, or an old-school dealer.
Learning how many ounces in a pound of weed may surprise you because there’s a massive 16 ounces in a pound. In other words, this equals 448 grams, which could roll you 448 large joints or 896 smaller joints.
Remember, even medical cannabis users cannot purchase anywhere near this much.
Want to know what a pound looks like? If you’ve ever seen images of a large-scale marijuana drug bust, think about those giant bags Federal agents use to display their haul.
Your Visual Guide to Cannabis Weight
Weed Measurements – How Much Can I Expect to Pay?
With these weed measurements in mind, how much does weed cost? This is a question many have on their mind, and sadly, there’s no easy answer.
The price of cannabis flower depends on various factors, including the market, the quality of the product, the strain, and the taxes in your area. But as a ballpark figure, expect to pay $10-$20 for a single gram of flower, which can yield one large joint or two smaller ones.
With this figure in mind, it’s just a matter of doing some math. Here’s an easy reference table for you to use:
Amount | Grams |
Eighth | 3.5 |
Quarter | 7 |
Half | 14 |
Ounce | 28 |
Pound | 448 |
All you must do is figure out the price per gram of your favorite strain and multiply it by the number of grams you want.
Many dispensaries will even run bulk discounts for customers to prevent sticker shock. If you love a particular type of weed, buying in bulk can save you a lot of money over making constant trips to the dispensary.
Conclusion
Calculating weed measurements doesn’t mean going back to school to retake algebra. As dispensaries shift to the metric system of simple grams, knowing and visualizing your measurements can help you make the right purchase.
At Flavor Fix, we’re dedicated to providing useful guides on all things marijuana. To learn more about cannabis, browse our platform now.