Since the original prohibition of marijuana and the days of Reefer Madness, nearly everything about cannabis has changed, from cultivation techniques, storage methods, and marketing on down. But one thing has remained strangely consistent: weed measurements and the quirky, modified marijuana metric system.
Those prohibition roots and long decades of hiding in the shadows of illegality have nurtured a strange slang in the world of weed measurements. The current lexicon for measuring quantities of cannabis includes words for the cash value of the marijuana, and words for its total weight—in both metrics and the imperial system.
In short, especially for people new to cannabis, such as potential customers and people who only recently got a medical marijuana card, buying marijuana can feel confusing thanks to cannabis quantities.
Many consumers end up telling budtenders how much they have to spend without knowing how much medicine that will get them, or they have no idea what the budtender is talking about when they ask if they want a dub, zip, O or eighth of weed and they feel embarrassed.
Even as a cannabis business owner, if you are new on the scene, you might be surprised by how much math the day-to-day business involves—with customers. It’s up to us to bridge the gap and not only get it right with weed measurements, but educate consumers so they can feel confident buying our products.
We created this complete guide to marijuana measurements because they can be baffling even for the most seasoned cannabis fans and savvy business owners.
Weed Measurements in Focus
When we measure marijuana, we typically refer to either its cash value or total weight. The total weight method is more common, especially where cannabis is legal.
Generally marijuana measured by weight is classified using the metric system. One gram is probably the smallest amount of cannabis on offer anywhere. As a basic guide, keep in mind that there are 28 grams in 1 ounce; this means one quarter ounce has 7 grams, and an eighth has 3.5 grams.
[Technically it’s 28.35 grams. This is why there are 453.6 grams in a pound, not the 448 you’d predict if it was really an even 28 grams in an ounce. Just one more reason to switch to the metric system, folks.]
Why do we still resist the metric system here in the US? Customary units such as pounds and ounces were borrowed from the British before the US was even a country, and they make the math a lot more confusing.
We’re not sure why the resistance continues, but it seems that for the time being, one of the most confusing pieces of the cannabis buying puzzle will be the switching back and forth between metrics and the imperial system.
Although it is somewhat old-school to use cash value terms for an amount of weed such as a dime bag, these are certainly still in use, especially by people used to these slang terms and where marijuana remains illegal. However, these phrases often refer to small amounts of cannabis, and actual weight content may vary quite a bit.
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1 Gram Of Weed
For the purposes of smaller quantities, the gram serves as the base unit of the purchase. When you think about a gram of marijuana in terms of consumption, the flower will last for a few small joints or two decent sized blunts.
One gram is only a few decent sized “nuggets” of marijuana. Just as a reference point, the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing makes sure all bills weigh in at one gram. Other things that weigh about a gram are a paperclip or a stick of gum.
Dime Bag = 1 Gram Of Weed
A dime bag is a small amount of marijuana and shouldn’t be larger than maybe two quarters to your eye. (You do purchase dabs by the gram, because they are much more concentrated, and that is reflected in the cost. But you don’t dab from a dime bag of cannabis flower, because you dab concentrates.) Dabs are purchased by the gram but the cost will be much higher because it is concentrated. When at a dispensary, it is quite common for a representative to ask how many grams you wish to purchase (although many places will not sell a quantity this low since it really does not go far in your treatment). Once you know the size of a dime bag, you can better plan how many grams you want to buy.
How Much Is A Gram Of Weed?
A gram of weed varies in price depending on location. It is sometimes called a dime bag due to the average cost—about $10 to $20 per gram of cannabis for a medium quality strain.
Purchasing half of the gram or a quarter of the gram is not common at all. This would not be enough marijuana beyond two or three bowls. The average weed prices in the United States and Canada would range between $10 to $20. It should be around that range in any other country with legal cannabis as well.
2 Grams Of Weed – Dub Of Bud
Weighing in at twice that of a dime bag, two grams of marijuana is conventionally referred to as a dub of bud.
What Is A Dub Of A Bud?
A dub of bud or dub sack is simply two grams of cannabis flower, or twice the amount of a dime bag. It depends on where you purchase and what strain you buy but as a general rule this can cost about $20 and leave you with enough weed for about 5 joints. It is not a lot of cannabis, as indicated by the price. At best you could get 4-6 bowls from this amount of cannabis. The reason this costs $20 is in the name – dub. Just like a person calls a ten dollar-bill a “ten” so cannabis users call a $20 bag a ‘dub.’ Other items that weigh 2 grams are two American dollar bills ($1 bills).
How Much Are 2 Grams Of Weed?
As mentioned, weed prices vary but the average for 2 grams ranges from $15 to $30 in the United States. Canada’s prices may come in slightly less, it varies because of the quality of the product. When you visit a dispensary, this may be the smallest amount available to purchase.
⅛ Of Weed – Eighth Of A Bud
Commonly referred to as an eighth, half quarter, or a ‘slice’, this is a common amount when it comes to weed measurements of cannabis flower.
How Many Grams Are In An Eighth Of An Ounce Weed?
An eighth is one eighth of an ounce, which weighs about 3.5 grams. For an average smoker, an eighth can last a week or more. It is also one of the lowest amounts you can purchase at a dispensary. With smaller joins, you can make about 9 to 11 with an eighth or about 7 decent-sized blunts. Another common thing that weighs 3.5 grams is a sugar cube.
How Much Is An Eighth Of An Ounce Weed?
Depending on the quality of the purchase and demand factors like it being a new strain, weed prices vary, but an eighth ounce of marijuana ranges from $20 to $50, typically.
1/4 Of Weed – Quarter Of An Ounce Weed
One quarter of marijuana indicates that it is one-quarter of an ounce. (Remember, this is not the same as a QP, which is a quarter pound of cannabis). It isn’t common to hear the quarter referred to as anything else in terms of weed measurements, except perhaps a quad.
How Many Grams Are In A Quarter Of An Ounce?
An ounce is made up of 28 grams so a quarter of an ounce is seven grams. This makes it the size of 7 dime bags, or two eighths. It would be enough for 20-25 or more joints or 15 large blunts. 3 pennies weigh about 7.5 grams or ¼ of marijuana.
How Much Is A Quarter Of An Ounce Weed?
It will come as no surprise that the cost for a quarter of bud can vary significantly. It can cost from $50 to $70 in states with both medical and recreational legalization. As you can tell, purchasing in larger quantities does cost less when it comes to cannabis prices!
½ Of Weed – Half Ounce Or Half A Zip
The half ounce is the next designation for marijuana purchases. A half ounce, or half a zip, lasts an experienced user a considerable amount of time. It weighs exactly 14 grams, so if you smoke about one gram a day (which is a decent quantity) will last 14 full days.
How Many Grams Are In A Half Of An Ounce?
A half-ounce of weed weighs exactly 14 grams, so if you smoke about one gram a day (which is a decent quantity) will last 14 full days. It lasts about forty or more joints and up to 28-30 large blunts. Another common object that weighs half of an ounce are 3 sheets of paper (A4).
How Much Is Half Of An Ounce Of Weed?
The average weed prices for half of an ounce is from as low to $120 to $150. Don’t be surprised that cannabis prices vary on half a zip.
Full Ounce Or A Zip
A full ounce, or 28 grams worth of weed, is also referred to as a zip. It’s not always possible to just roll into the local dispensary and pick up anything you want in this quantity. In a number of states, such as California, this is the maximum limit of what you can purchase recreationally. It is important to remember purchasing limits.
How Many Grams Are In An Ounce?
There are 28 grams in an ounce of cannabis. This breaks down to about 50-55 blunts and around 80 joints. Another common object that weighs an ounce is a slice of whole-grain bread.
How Much Is An Ounce Of Weed?
Based on the quality of what you purchase, the answer to “how much is an ounce of weed?” can vary drastically. You can pay as low as $150 but as much as nearly $300 for high quality cannabis and unique strains such as high CBD cultivars. It depends on the strain and quality of the cannabis.
¼ Pound Of Weed – Quarter Pound Or QP
The majority of medicinal users will not come into contact with a quarter pound of marijuana. This amount would last a user a long amount of time. Possessing this amount of marijuana is illegal in many states, even where medicinal and recreational marijuana is legal. It is always important to refer to the laws of the state before finding yourself in a legal situation!
How Many Grams Are In A Quarter Pound?
There are four ounces of cannabis in a quarter of a pound and this equates to 96 grams. With a quarter pound of cannabis, you can roll about 60-100 blunts, or over 200 joints. For even the most experienced user, compared to most weed measurements it would last a long time.
How Much Is A Quarter Pound Of Weed?
You probably won’t be asking “how much is a quarter of weed?” very often in your lifetime because it is a large quantity. But the answer isn’t simple since every geographical location varies. In one of the most affordable states for cannabis prices, the quarter pound goes for about $800. It truly is a matter of supply and demand.
What Are Dabs?
One growing trend in marijuana consumption is dabbing concentrates and extracts. These have many names, including wax, shatter, honey, sugar, BHO, RSO, and amber.
These are not the same product as the leafy cannabis you’re used to; most have high concentrations of THC and other cannabinoids and terpenes. Dabs can provide an intense experience if it’s your first time, but they can also be a high quality medical marijuana option.
Dabs are purchased by the gram but the pricing is much higher because the THC is higher. It comes out to an average of $30-50 if you are purchasing a high-quality product.
How Are Edibles Measured?
Edibles typically list total THC content in milligrams—and this is the total amount, not a per-serving amount. This means if a packaged edible like a chocolate bar or brownie says it has 100mg of THC, you may need to divide it up into servings. A bag of gummies that is 100mg and contains 20 pieces has 5mg per piece.
Practice Makes Perfect
If you run a consumer-facing business and you sell cannabis flower, it pays to ensure your entire staff has mastered weed measurements. No one loves homework, but getting this right protects the business and the brand.
(As a consumer mastering these measurements is just as useful. It ensures you can “eyeball” cannabis amounts much more readily and makes you a smarter shopper.)
Lead your team in practicing weed measurements using everyone’s favorite cannabis substitute, oregano, or something similar—several ounces’ worth. You’ll also need containers and a digital scale with a tare function that switches from grams to ounces and back again. Use a scoop or spoon to measure and move the “flower.”
Measure out everything from a gram on up to an eighth, at least. Compare the amounts visually, both inside and outside containers.
It’s important for your team to get a sense of their relative size, as these are the most common gram units in the marijuana metric system. Test each other by estimating without the containers and trying to duplicate what is in them at different weights.
Obviously, there are legal limits in every jurisdiction to the amount of cannabis customers can purchase at a time from your store, so all employees must be aware of state possession limits. The limit is often 1 ounce, although medical marijuana patients may have a higher limit. Ensure proper training for budtenders and other staff to avoid pricey fines and other regulatory trouble.
How Much are Common Weed Measurements Worth?
Typically, asking for a dime means asking for $10 of cannabis—whatever that means in your area. In general, this tiny amount is just enough for a joint, although it’s harder and harder to find those little bits sold.
As a basic matter, legal cannabis is more expensive on the sticker than black-market weed. But it’s tougher to predict the price of unregulated cannabis than it is to predict the cost of the legal version, and the legal version is more stable. So in the end, overall price points can be lower in legal markets.
For example, a dime bag with about a gram in it from the street may cost you $10, while a dispensary gram costs $15. That higher price covers the price of state licensing, lab testing, and regulatory compliance—which all make for a safer product.
And a dub of weed costs $20 in most major Midwestern and eastern seaboard cities, but you might pay up to $50 for a single gram in cities with high demand without a legal market. Of course strain demand, quality, and other factors are important, but taxing and regulating cannabis appears to help consumers overall and drive down prices based on value.
Compare prices between legal markets such as Colorado, California, Oregon, and Washington where a high-quality ounce of cannabis typically runs $200 to $250 and states such as Florida, Illinois, and New York which range from $300 to $360 for the same ounce, according to priceofweed.com.
Final Thoughts on Weed Measurements
Dispensaries, whether recreational or medical, need to stay within regulatory and market guidelines with their pricing. Knowing where to start when it comes to weed measurements and weed prices helps anyone getting started with a cannabis business make more realistic predictions and deal with vendors and other businesses. And sometimes, even experienced cannabis companies need some refreshed information.
We hope this guide to weed measurements has been useful.