Do not use cannabis if you are under twenty-one years of age. Keep cannabis out of the reach of children.
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When you step into a dispensary or shop online for cannabis, you’ll notice that everything revolves around weight. Whether you’re buying a single pre-roll or stocking up on flower for the month, understanding cannabis measurements is key to getting the right amount for you and staying within legal limits. In this guide, we’ll break down grams, ounces, and everything in between to help you shop for cannabis with confidence. So if you’ve ever searched “How many grams in a…” look no further, we’ve got you covered.
Cannabis is sold by weight because it’s the most precise way to measure mass and portion the plant. From grams to ounces, these units help dispensaries and customers maintain consistency in dosage, pricing, and legal compliance.
Cannabis weights also use a combination of imperial and metric systems. For example, an ounce is equal to 28.3495 grams, and a quarter ounce equals about 7 grams. Learning these conversion factors will help you shop smarter.
Over time, cannabis culture developed its own slang for weights. These nicknames might sound confusing at first, but they’re simply shorthand for common quantities.
Here’s a conversion chart to help you get the lingo down:
Slang Term |
Weight (Grams) |
Typical Use-Case |
| “Dime” | 1 gram | Single session or trial amount |
| “Dub” | 2 grams | A few joints or bowls |
| “Eighth” | 3.5 grams | Popular for casual users |
| “Quarter” | 7 grams | For regular weekly users |
| “Half” | 14 grams | Stocking up or sharing |
| “Zip” | 28 grams | Stocking up for long-term use |
These terms evolved as cannabis moved from the underground market into dispensaries. Now, menus often list both slang and metric measurements, blending avoirdupois ounces from the imperial system with grams as the base unit in the metric system. Don’t be surprised if you hear both systems in one sentence, like “how many grams in a half ounce?”, because cannabis culture has always straddled different measurements.
Let’s break it down even further. When budtenders talk about weights, they’re referring to how much flower or concentrate you’ll get, and weight plus quality determines price point.
An eighth refers to ⅛ of an ounce, which equals 3.5 grams. It’s one of the most common purchase sizes for buying weed and is approximately equal to 3-7 joints, depending on how you roll.
A quarter is ¼ of an ounce, or 7 grams. This is great for those who don’t want to visit the dispensary every few days.
A half ounce is 14 grams. With a precise conversion, you can see it’s approximately equal to 28 half-gram joints.
An ounce equals 28 grams, making it the largest quantity most states allow you to purchase at one time for personal use.
There are a lot of variables that come into play when you’re in search of the perfect dose. How much cannabis is right depends on your goals, tolerance, and method of consumption.
If someone is buying cannabis to treat pain, insomnia, or chemotherapy-related nausea, they’re medical patients and often require a more precise conversion for their dose. Adult-use customers may buy the same quantities, but often for recreational purposes.
Here’s how many grams you can legally buy in select states:
Laws vary slightly by state, so check regulations before you shop.
At Shangri-La, we want to ensure that all of our customers have the best and safest experience possible.
We understand that navigating through different laws and regulations can be confusing, especially for medical patients. That’s why, at Shangri-La, we ensure that we stay up-to-date on all changes in legislation, so we can provide our customers with accurate and informed guidance. Whether it’s an eighth or a full ounce, we’ll guide you milligram by milligram.
An eighth (3.5 grams) is the most common size for flower.
This varies by state but typically ranges from 28 to 85 grams.
A digital kitchen scale provides more precise conversions and accurate measurements for home use.
Yes. Edibles are labeled by milligrams of THC, though the total package weight is also listed in grams.
Start with 2.5 milligrams to test out strains and find what works for you.
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