A visual guide to the most common measurements of weed

• Cannabis flower is typically priced by single grams and eighths, or 3.5 grams.
• A gram is the smallest amount of cannabis flower you can purchase at a time, while an ounce is typically the legal limit of possession in the US.
• The amount you should purchase at a time depends on your needs and consumption habits. 

Among the many choices a person makes when visiting a dispensary, the amount of cannabis to buy is always part of the decision. And if you're a newcomer to the world of weed, figuring out how much flower you want could feel like you're trying to solve a math problem. 

Across the world, cannabis flower is measured and sold in increments within an ounce. Of course, you can purchase weed in smaller increments, typically weighed in grams. Even pre-rolls are sized in grams. 

Similar to buying any item in bulk, the more cannabis you purchase at a time, the friendlier it is for your wallet. But the amount of weed you should purchase also depends on your consumption methods and whether you're a casual or habitual smoker.

Here's your guide to the most common cannabis measurements and weights on the market today.

Understanding state cannabis laws 

If you live in a place where adult-use cannabis is legal, it's important to recognize that every state has different rules and regulations for cultivation, use, distribution, and possession. 

An ounce may not sound like much, but for cannabis, it's a large amount. In most legal markets, there is a limit on the amount of cannabis one can possess. 

In Colorado, people may possess up to 2 ounces, or 64 grams, for personal use. In California, adults over the age of 21 can possess just over one ounce, 28.5 grams. In Massachusetts, you can only carry up to one ounce at a time, but you can have 10 ounces in your home. Every state varies.

It's important to note that no amount of cannabis is legal federally. Medical cannabis is legal in 38 states while adult-use cannabis is currently legal in 18 states. See our map to find out if cannabis is legal where you live.

Common cannabis measurements

Gram

One gram is the smallest amount you can purchase in most dispensaries. It's a popular weight for beginner smokers, or for experienced smokers who want to test out a new strain. It can cost anywhere from $5 to $20 per gram.

Cannabis nugs range in density. A very dense nug may look small but weigh one gram. A very fluffy pile of ground-up weed may look like more but still weigh one gram. Pre-rolled joints are often sold in one-gram sizes. 

Eighth

An eighth weighs 3.5 grams, and it's simply shorthand for 1/8th of an ounce. It costs about $40 to $60 in most cannabis markets, but can be less expensive in developed markets like Oregon or Colorado, where an eighth can be found for as affordable as $20. 

"The eighth is the most popular amount purchased, by far. 60% of all sales in our store are an eighth of flower," says Patrick Stad, CEO and founder of The Cure Company, based in Los Angeles, California. 

The eighth is the most popular size sold today because it is enough weed to roll into about three to four joints. An eighth will last many consumers a few days to a few weeks, and in regulated marketplaces, it's the most common pre-weighed bag you can buy. 

Quarter

A quarter is 7 grams of weed, or a quarter of an ounce. This is another popular measurement to buy because it lasts longer. Seven grams is equivalent to about 7 joints and maybe 10 bowls, depending on the size of your pipe. A quarter can also serve some small at-home baking projects.  

Half

A half-ounce is 14 grams of cannabis. A half-ounce is a substantial amount, and it will last most consumers several weeks. This all depends on the rate it's smoked and how big of joints you roll. Regular consumers could consume a half-ounce in a week or less. On the other hand, if you're new and only smoke on rare occasions, a half-ounce could last a month. Make sure to store it in a dark, cool, airtight place to help keep it fresh.

Ounce

An ounce is 28 grams of cannabis, and it's the legal limit to purchase in many states. An ounce is commonly called a "zip," which is slang for a large amount of weed that usually fills up a small Ziploc bag. 

An ounce lasts regular cannabis consumers a few weeks to a month. You can roll a significant amount of joints with an ounce of weed, about 28 or so. 

Cannabis dispensaries in most markets are required to pre-weigh the weed. This means eighths and quarters and grams are all pre-weighed in their own bag, like most packaged goods.

Dispensaries don't always have an ounce bag, so sometimes they add together eighths or gram-sized packages to equal an ounce. If you purchase an ounce, the dispensary may have to give you pre-weighed eighths, so you receive eight little bags total.. "The issue is, if we sold out of eighths and all was left was ounces," says Stad, "the customer wouldn't have the ability to break it down to an eighth." It's a balancing act between regulations and consumer demand: eighths are in higher demand because they are more affordable. 

Pound

A pound is 16 ounces, which is approximately 453.59 grams of cannabis. A pound is a lot of weed, and it's only ever seen in industrial spaces legally in the US. 

Most legal markets will not allow people who don't work in the industry to possess a pound of weed. This is because a pound is generally more than any person or medical patient can consume. Even though weed is legal in 18 states and counting, those states are still limiting quantities for adults so that it's less likely the weed is resold. How much weight a person can possess is one of the new regulations that come with legality.

Insider's takeaway

It's helpful to know the ins and outs of cannabis measurements. You'll never be surprised by these metric weights when you go into the dispensary, and you can experience what all of the different strains look like per gram. 

In general, weed is sold in one gram, eighth, quarter, half-ounce, or ounce. An eighth weighs 3.5 grams and it's called an eighth because it's approximately 1/8th of an ounce. Depending on your needs and how regularly you consume it, cannabis will last a different amount of time for everyone.