Gram, eighth, quarter, ounce -- there seem to be as many ways to measure marijuana as you can smoke it. During your visit at a cannabis dispensary you can quickly get confused when you add in terms such as dime bag. Continue reading to find out the most popular marijuana measurements and marijuana weight terms.
Measurements of marijuana broken down
Let's begin with the smallest unit of marijuna measurement and move up to larger amounts.
A Gram of Cannabis
One-thousandths of a kilogram is the metric unit for mass. The gram is a small unit that can be used to measure cannabis. This makes it an excellent choice for those who only need small quantities of marijuana. If they are looking for a new strain, or if they don't use cannabis often. Rest of the units for measuring cannabis are ounces, either in whole or in fractions.
What is an Eighth of Marijuana
An eighth is equal to an eighth of an ounce or 3.5g of marijuana. The eighth is the most common marijuana quantity available at a marijuana dispensary. An eighth of marijuana can be a good amount. It's enough to make you feel that you have plenty to go around, but not too much to make you rush to eat it all before it goes to seed.
Quarter of Marijuana
A quarter of a marijuana is the next unit of measure. A quarter of marijuana is equal to one quarter of an ounce and weighs in at approximately 7 grams. Technically, a quarter marijuana weighs 7.0874g, but industry standards are to round it down to the nearest gram. Half is shorthand for half an ounce, which weighs 14g.
Measurement of Marijuana in Ounce
Although technically, an ounce should contain 28.3g of marijuana, many people round it down to 28g. Due to the possession laws, a full ounce of marijuana is typically the maximum amount you can purchase at one time when buying it at a local cannabis dispensary. However, dispensary owners and buyers can purchase larger amounts of cannabis, including kilograms and pounds.
Pound of Marijuna
A pound of cannabis can be one of the most rare quantities of marijuana you will find at your local marijuana dispensary. It is usually only available to growers or dispensary owners. A pound is 16 ounces, which is 16 times the maximum amount that one can purchase at once. It's enough marijuana to last the average person a year.Here is a quick reference chart that shows how marijuana is measured, and the equivalent weight in grams for each measurement:
- 1/8 of an ounce = 3.5 grams
- 1 quarter = 1/4 -ounce = 7 grams
- 1 half = 1/2 ounce = 14 grams
- 1 ounce = 28g
- 1 pound = 453 grams*
You might wonder if there are 16 ounces and 28 grams in an ounce. Wouldn't that mean there would be 448 grams in an entire pound? This is because the gram, which is a unit of measurement in metric units, and the pound are both imperial units.
The lingo for measuring marijuana
A dimebag is a shorthand term for small plastic bags of marijuana. A dime code for $10 worth marijuana, usually about 1 gram. The dime bag is now a rarer marijuana measurement due to more marijuana being pre-packaged in eighths.2 grams of marijuana is a dub or dub bag. This could also be $20 worth of marijuana, which is common in the world of marijuana terminology. 2g of marijuana would be twice as expensive as a dime bag.A slice can be used to identify an eighth of marijuana, or 3.5g.A zip is one ounce or 28 grams of marijuana. This slang term is supposedly derived from an ounce or 28 grams of marijuana that fits nicely into a Ziploc bag. However, others believe the zip derives its name from an abbreviation of an ounce, an oz.
How to ensure you get what you pay
You don't want to pay more than you have to, whether you go to the medical marijuana dispensary to buy a single gram of cannabis to try out a new strain, or to invest in an entire ounce of your favorite strain. A scale is the best way to ensure that your cannabis is weighing the right amount.The budtender should be able to weigh the cannabis if you are buying it from a bulk container. You can ask your budtender for help if you forget the gram conversions. They will tell you how many grams make up an eighth, quarter or half ounce. Then, they will weigh the cannabis to confirm that you are getting the correct amount.Some states have adult-use cannabis laws that require the flower to be pre-packed so that it can be measured before arriving at the cannabis dispensary. You can still weigh the flower at home to make sure it is the same weight as the packaging.