Weed Measurements – Know Your Ganja

An “eighth,” a “G,” a “quarter” – you’ve probably heard all these phrases in terms of weed measurements, but what does it mean? There’s a lot about cannabisthat’s changed over the years.

However, the terms we use for quantities and selling have pretty much stayed the same from the street to the dispensary.

Weed is sold by weight, so it’s most commonly referred to in grams and ounces. This is also relevant in terms of legality; in the eyes of the law in some states, possession of a gram of weed is less of a crime than an ounce and may lead to a lesser penalty. Aside from all of this, we’re used to the imperial system of measurement over here in the United States, so it’s even more confusing when there are several colloquial terms for weed involving both the metric system and US conversions. Fortunately, it all makes perfectly simple sense once you see it all laid out.

When you visit the dispensary, the flower is going to be priced and sold according to weight, specifically grams, and ounces. Here are the most common quantities of weed to purchase:

Gram

A gram is usually the smallest amount of marijuana available for sale at a dispensary. If you’re curious about a new strain, a gram is small enough for two or three sessions. Many dispensaries give out free grams with qualifying purchases, especially to new customers. For this reason, it always pays to check out a new dispensary.

⅛ Ounce

Commonly referred to as an eighth, this quantity measures out to 3.5 grams. This is one of the most popular quantities. You’ll get a few good bowls out of this amount, which usually runs from $20 to $50 depending on the strain. 

¼ Ounce

This is a quarter, which measures out to 7 grams. If you’ve found a strain you love and want to keep a stash around, a quarter fits nicely in a small airtight container.

½ Ounce

The math is probably getting pretty easy at this point, right? Four eighths, or two quarters, or 14 grams, make up a half ounce of weed.

1 Ounce

28.35 grams of weed makes up an ounce, which is typically the largest quantity you can buy of a strain at a time. If you have a strain you really love and you want some around for consistent daily use, an ounce is a smart investment. If you’re buying large quantities of weed, check out some of our favorite airtight storage containers.

Other Weed Measurements – THC Percentages

Besides weight, THC content is another important weed measurement. The cannabis plant contains many different compounds, known as cannabinoids, and THC is the popular cannabinoid that produces psychoactive effects. THC levels are based on the amount of THC in relation to the rest of the plant material. In states where recreational cannabis is legal, THC content per plant is usually 15-30%.

THC measurements are also crucial for concentrates like oils, tinctures, waxes, shatters, and edibles. With these products, the measures go from ounces, grams, and percentages to milligrams. Product labels usually contain this information, so it’s easy to calculate how much to consume according to your needs. Ten milligrams is a safe place to start, so if a cookie contains 100 milligrams of THC, divide it into ten pieces. Check out our post on how edibles affect the body and how long they can keep you high. 

With a good understanding of these weed measurements, it’s easy to walk into the dispensary knowing how much you can spend and how much you need to buy.