Weed Measurements 101 | Everything You Need to Know to Buy Weed

It’s nice to kick back with a little bud, relax, and smoke the stress of the day away. Of course, in order to do that, you’ve got to buy the marijuana in the first place.

That means you need to know your weed measurements so that you know you’re getting what you pay for, and so that you can walk into any dispensary and confidently ask for the cannabis you’d like to consume.

While America generally hates the metric system, we also somehow managed to make it the standard for marijuana measurement. Not only that, but it’s been broken down in so many different ways and there are tons of slang terms— how are you supposed to know that a dime bag used to be a gram, but is now closer to half a gram if you’re really only paying $10?

No worries, because we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll get down to the details of weed measurements and how they work so that you can purchase cannabis like you’ve been doing for years, even if this is your first time.

In case we need to say it, we can’t condone the illegal purchasing of marijuana from street dealers. The information contained here regarding weed measurements is purely educational.

You should only purchase marijuana from licensed dispensaries in your state, based on the marijuana laws in your state.

 

You may be interested in these related articles

 

Most Common Marijuana Measurements Conversion Chart

 

Old-School Weed Measurements: The Death of the Dime Bag?

In light of states legalizing medical and recreational marijuana, some people are concerned that old lingo is no longer relevant. Even from our first example, you can see that what was once aptly named a “dime bag” is no longer really the same value or weight, depending on how you look at it.

Today, a single gram sells for closer to $20, so many people don’t use the lingo they once did. And while street dealers may still be sold by the gram, legal dispensaries typically sell in fractions of an ounce (eighth, quarter, half, etc.).

So that dub sack (what used to be $20 for 2 grams of weed) is now going to cost you closer to $30, or you can just get an eighth (3.5 grams) for $35-$50, depending on where you live and what prices are like at dispensaries in your state.

The slang isn’t the same. The sizes have changed in some states. However, we’re still using the same basic system to measure weed now that it’s becoming legal in several states across the nation.

Read on to learn more about how to measure weed and what different weed weights mean so that you can purchase weed with fewer questions and be sure of what you’re getting.

 

 

Weed By Weight: From the Humble Gram to the Half-Ounce and Beyond

Ok, so now we’ve covered the basics and it’s time to get down to the numbers. If you don’t have one, get yourself the best weed scale that you can use to weigh your own weed.

It’s not that you can’t trust what you buy, but it can help you get a better visual idea of what each weight looks like comparatively and also ensures you’re not getting less than you pay for.

There aren’t many places where you’ll find weed being sold by the gram in the modern cannabis world. A few dispensaries might sell 2 grams of a certain strain or a 4-gram “eighth” to offer a better deal, but it’s rare that you find a huge selection of one-gram products.

The rest of the measurements used in the cannabis industry are based on fractions of the ounce, the parent of the gram.

An eighth of an ounce: this is 3.5 grams of weed, also commonly just called an “eighth” or a 50, in some places where it still costs $50 to get ahold of some weed in this size.

A quarter of an ounce: this measures out to seven grams. It’s sometimes called a “Q” or just a quarter. Some people may also call it a “QT” or “cutie” for short. It’s usually going to cost $50-$70 to get a quarter in most states where it’s legal, although some may still charge as much as $100 depending on the quality, strain, and other factors.

Half ounce: The half, or half O, is 14 grams of weed. This will last the average smoker around two to three weeks if they smoke a gram a day or less.

Ounce: Also known as a “zip” or a full O, a full ounce measures an impressive 28 grams of weed, which is usually the most that you can legally buy and/or possess at one time in states where it is legal.

 

Grams to Ounces & Ounces to Grams Weed Conversion Chart

 

Some states will allow medical and/or recreational users to have up to two ounces or more, but purchase limits are usually around an ounce, even in more lenient states. In a state like Alaska, people over age 21 can possess up to four ounces at home, along with six plants if they want to grow their own.

Then, in states like Ohio, people are limited to purchasing four ounces of marijuana in a 45-day period. Four ounces might sound like a lot, but compared to other state laws, it’s actually quite strict.

 

Half an Ounce Equals a Grapefruit and Other Produce Comparisons

Visual and spatial references are often helpful for people who are new to cannabis measurements. In addition to weight information, you can also use common fruits to “eyeball” the amount of weed.

Of course, remember that we’re talking about the visual appearance and size of the fruit, not its weight, which will be much more than the visual cannabis equivalent.

• A grape is about what a gram looks like.
• If you have an eighth, it will be about the size of a kiwi.
• Quarters are about the size of medium apples.
• Half an ounce looks like a grapefruit.
• A coconut is about the same size as an ounce, or 28 grams, of weed.
• Finally, if you ever get the chance to see a pound, it will be about as big as an average watermelon.

 

Remember, of course, that you should never buy weed by its looks. Even when you buy from a dispensary, you should go home and weigh your purchase so that you double-check you get what you pay for. As mentioned above, this also helps you better learn how to visualize weights and what each of them means.

 

How Many Ounces or Grams Do People Usually Buy?

There is no real “standard” amount when it comes to purchasing weed. Some people will find that an eighth of an ounce will be enough weed for a week or more, while others might need larger quantities to get through the same amount of time.

Someone might use a quarter within a week, while someone else might think that’s a substantial amount that can last up to a month.

You will need to buy the proper weight based on your consumption and budget. You don’t want to cheap out and find out you don’t have enough cannabis to get high.

Fortunately, smaller weights are becoming increasingly rare as states legalize and when they are found, they’re usually in pre-rolls or other specialty cannabis products.

 

Dry Marijuana Conversion Table

 

How Much Can I Get From Each Weight?

This is where things get a little tricky. Because everyone prepares their weed differently, what gets two or three bowl packs for one might be just enough for a single, larger bowl for another.

However, just about everyone can agree that a half zip will provide several blunts, joints, and other smoking indulgences, giving you 14 grams to enjoy as you please.

The smallest measurement we’ll discuss will be one-eighth of weed. Since the gram of weed isn’t as readily available anymore, it’s not as relevant. An eighth of an ounce will get you 3-4 joints or bowls, or even a single, fat blunt.

A quarter of weed is enough to get you 10 blunts, or as many as 15 joints. This does depend on how you roll. You’ll enjoy more than a dozen bowls with a one-quarter-ounce purchase.

When you choose to get a half ounce of weed, you will have your hands pretty full. Typically, you’ll be able to roll 30+ joints or 20-some blunts, again depending on how you roll.

If you do buy one ounce of marijuana, that gives you 28 grams of Ganga that are just waiting to be enjoyed. You can often save money on larger purchases, too, so unless the smallest weight is really all you need, consider bulk 420 deals that are available at many dispensaries today.

Back to the “what you get”– that ounce of marijuana can make almost 80 joints, 30-50 blunts, and plenty of bowls for all the glassware you have on hand. And that ounce won’t be coming in a small plastic bag– it’ll need a bit larger packaging.

 

 

Weed Measurements FAQs

We’ve covered a lot of information in a short time. Now, we want to cover some FAQs about weed amounts, buying weed, and other relevant topics.

 

How many Grams are in an eighth?

In clear measurement terms, an eighth of weed is approximately 3.5 grams

 

How many grams in a quarter?

There are 7 grams in a quarter ounce of weed.

 

How many grams in a half ounce?

A half-ounce of weed equals 14 grams.

 

How many grams are in an ounce?

Whopping twenty-eighth grams of weed!  Usually, an ounce is a zip or an “O” in slang terms.

 

What about quarter pounds and pounds?

Few people ever find themselves in a situation to legally purchase this much weed. A quarter pound, or QP, is about four ounces and is generally illegal to possess or purchase on a personal level.

Dispensary owners and buyers can purchase these quantities, often all the way up to a pound or more. The average person will never measure weed in these quantities.

A pound of weed– that’s 16 ounces, 448 grams, or 128 “eighths” of marijuana. Probably something most retail and medical customers won’t see in their lifetime, but fun to think about for sure– that’s a LOT of pot.

 

What’s up with the “Ohio tenth” and other state-based measurements?

This is perhaps one of the strangest measurements we’ve ever seen. However, the state determined that this measurement, which comes out to 2.83g, is equal to a “daily dose” for medical marijuana patients, which is why it’s sold that way.

Since marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, each state is tasked with passing its own laws and setting up its own systems, including how products are sold.

 

How do I know how much weed I can buy?

You can look up the laws for your state so that you’re familiar with the quantities that you’re allowed to purchase within a certain period. Each state makes it clear in its laws how much cannabis consumers can:

• purchase at once
• purchase over a period of time
• possess at once
• grow

 

Can medical marijuana patients buy more than recreational users?

Depending on the state, medical marijuana patients usually do have the capability to purchase more than recreational users when they visit a dispensary. They may also have access to better-quality products.

 

What kind of scale do I need for measuring weed?

You can use a small electronic scale that is designed for use in the kitchen or to weigh postal items. Dispensaries and head shops also sell scales for personal use. Make sure it measures grams and includes decimals for accuracy.

 

How much weed do I need for a joint?

Usually, you can roll a decent-sized joint from a gram of flower, or less, depending on how you roll.

 

How much weight can a medical patient purchase?

This depends on the laws of the state and the patient’s available purchase quantities. Check with your state to understand laws regarding the use of medical cannabis.

 

What other ways of consuming cannabis are there?

If you don’t want to spark up a joint, you’ve got a lot of other options for cannabis consumption. This includes vape cartridges or oils that are processed and ready for vaporization.

There are also extracts and topical products, along with a full line of edible/consumable marijuana products.