Purchasing cannabis at a dispensary can feel like you need to learn a new language, especially when discussing weights. What’s the difference between a gram of weed, a dub of weed, and an eighth of weed, anyway? How is weed measured? And how much are you actually getting for your money?
Learn more about the standard units of cannabis and how they relate to real-world use, whether you are putting it in a bowl or rolling it up in a joint. We’ll break down the lingo and give you some simple tips for buying the right amount. Let’s make weed measurements a little more straightforward.
Weed Weight 101: How Much You’re Getting in Each Size
Licensed dispensaries sell cannabis by metric weight, but these weights can be referred to in either their formal units or in old-school terms. Here are the most common sizes:
Gram of Weed (1g)
This is the smallest standard purchase, ideal for sampling a new strain. You can use a gram to roll up one large joint or two small joints. It’s also enough to pack into several bowls or use in a dry herb vape.
Eighth of Weed (3.5 g)
An eighth is the most popular size for buying weed. You can get 7-12 standard joints out of an eighth, or a couple dozen pipe bowls, depending on how you roll and pack. An eighth is a good balance of freshness and value. You’ll get plenty of bang for your buck, but it won’t last long enough to become dry and stale.
Quarter of Weed (7 g)
A quarter (also called a “quad”) sits right in the middle of the weight spectrum and is perfect for regular consumers who want to balance value with freshness. With 7 grams, you can roll about 14 standard joints or pack 30-40 bowls, depending on your preference. Most consumers find that a quarter lasts 1-2 weeks with regular use, which means your flower stays relatively fresh while still giving you solid savings on the per-gram cost.
Half of Weed (14 g)
Half of weed suits frequent consumers who don’t want to make a lot of trips to the dispensary. These higher weights are often priced at better per-gram rates, which can result in savings as well. Make sure you plan your storage, though, so it doesn’t overdry.
Ounce of Weed (28 g)
The classic O or full ounce—sometimes called a “zip” due to the old-school ziplock bag packaging—typically offers the best price-per-gram in most cases. This is a good amount for experienced consumers, especially if you like to create your own pre-roll in batches or want to split an ounce with a friend. A full ounce will last most consumers longer, but it also means that having the right storage will matter a lot.
Pound of Weed (16 ounces)
This is about 453 grams of weed, which isn’t an amount you’ll be purchasing in an adult-use store. It’s more of a wholesale or production figure.
Dub of Weed
A dub is slang from the pre-legal days of buying weed. It’s not a precise weight. Instead, it’s $20 worth of weed. Depending on the time and place, it could have been around a gram, more or less. In today’s legal shops, you’ll buy by an exact weight, so there aren’t $20 bags on the shelf (but your budtender can tell you how much you can get for $20).
Weed Prices Explained: How Weight Affects Cost and Value
The price and value of cannabis will vary depending on where you live, the brand, and the cultivation methods. However, there are a few basic principles you can count on when it comes to value.
A single gram is a good choice. It’s great for trying something new, but you’ll pay a premium price for the flexibility. Eighths are where prices tend to settle, so you’ll see clear tiers from everyday value strains to top-shelf options.
If you already love a strain, stepping up to a quarter, half, or full ounce will almost always lower the per-gram cost, especially if you can pair it with a weekday promo or seasonal sale.
Quality and freshness shape value as much as the cost. Top-shelf flower costs more because it looks, smells, and smokes better. Value tiers offer a minor imperfection for a better price. To get the best value, buy small when you are sampling, size up when you love something, and store everything well to get it all fresh. Following those rules, you’ll be happy with both your stash and your budget.
How to Choose the Right Amount of Weed for Your Routine
- Match the size to your routine. Occasional users should buy frames or eighths so the jar stays fresh. Daily consumers can step up to halves or ounces to cut down on dispensary trips and save money per gram.
- Plan your format. If you love to pre-roll, an eighth will give you around seven 0.5 g joints. Pipes will stretch your weights further, since bowl weights tend to be smaller than the typical joint.
- Store it right. Keep flower in an airtight glass jar at room temperature, never in the fridge or freezer. If you buy a half or an ounce, split it into smaller jars so you only open one at a time. Always keep it out of reach of pets and children.
- Try before you scale up. If you are eyeing a full ounce but haven’t tried it before, put it back on the shelf. It’s better to start with a gram or an eighth of something. Once you know that you like it, you can step up to a larger weight to lock in those savings.
Shop Cannabis by the Gram or Ounce at MedMen
Choosing the right weed measurements is a matter of simple math and your personal preferences. If you’re still unsure about how much to buy, please talk to our budtenders. They’ll ask about your use preferences and cannabis routine and help you determine how much to buy.
They can also offer you some storage tips, so everything stays fresh. They’ll help you compare value and package sizes so you leave with the right amount for your needs.
Stop by a MedMen location near you today to purchase the right amount of weed at a great price to fill out your stash.
