In the world of cannabis, understanding measurements is a must. But for new consumers, it may seem a bit confusing at first. Fortunately, at Boone Town Provisions we’re here to help demystify it all for you. Cannabis flower and concentrates are sold by weight and the measurement system uniquely mixes metric and imperial units, using both grams and ounces. It’s not as confusing as it sounds, though, and this guide will help you make sense of it all.
Cannabis measurements chart: Sizes at a glance
| Term | Grams | Ounces |
| Gram | 1 | 1/28 |
| Eighth | 3.5 | 1/8 |
| Quarter | 7 | 1/4 |
| Half | 14 | 1/2 |
| Ounce | 28 | 1 |
Cannabis measurements at a dispensary: How is weed measured
1 Gram
Common products: Pre-rolled joints, concentrates
Packaged in: Joint paper, small glass jars
Who buys single grams? People who love concentrates or pre-rolls, or who want to try a new strain without committing.
How long a gram will last: A 1-gram joint will last you one to two smoke sessions, while 1g of concentrates can last you three to 14 days depending on how much you consume.
How much a gram of weed will cost in New Jersey: $12 – $32.50 for a joint, $40 – $100 for concentrates.
Eighths
A.K.A.: 3.5 grams, also called a “zip”
Common products that come in 3.5 grams: Cannabis flower, pre-rolled joints
Packaged in: Child-resistant zip lock bags, glass and plastic jars, pre-rolled joints
Who buys eighths? Most people! Eighths are one of the most popular products at many cannabis dispensaries. Getting an eighth of cannabis is a great place to start. You can buy cannabis flower or pre-rolled joints to explore the effects of a new strain in an amount that will last several sessions. Still, with an eighth, you won’t have to commit to a large amount of weed.
How long an eighth will last: How long an eighth of an ounce of weed lasts depends on how often you consume and how much you consume per session. Expect an eight to last between two to eight smoke sessions.
How much an eighth will cost you in New Jersey: $38- $70
Quarters
A.K.A.: 7 grams
Common products that come in quarters: Flower
Packaged in: Child-resistant zip lock bags, glass, plastic jars
Who buys quarters? If you know you like a certain strain, such as Ghost Train Haze, buying a quarter at a time is a more economical way to buy cannabis flower. For regular cannabis consumers, having a quarter-ounce of weed on hand can keep your stash stocked and stretch your dollar further. For some brands, a quarter of an ounce is the largest size of flower offered.
How long a quarter will last you: Up to a month, or between seven and 21 smoke seshes.
How much a quarter will cost in New Jersey: $45 – $100
Half-ounce
A.K.A.: 14 grams. Also called a half or half-O
Common products that come in half-O: Flower
Packaged in: Child-resistant zip-lock bags
Who buys half ounces? Half-ounces are for the daily consumers and people who smoke frequently. Buying a half ounce is more of a financial commitment than a Q or an eighth, but it can also be a more cost-effective way to restock your stash if you know you like the strain you’re buying.
How long a half O will last you: Between two and eight weeks, or 14 – 30 smoke sessions depending on how frequently you smoke.
How much a half-ounce will cost you in New Jersey: $90 – $160
Ounce
A.K.A.: 28 grams (28.35 grams, to be precise)
Common products that come in ounces: Flower
Packaged in: Most brands in New Jersey don’t sell whole ounces (an ounce is the legal limit for how much cannabis you can buy at once at a recreational dispensary in New Jersey). Instead, you’ll have to bundle together four quarters or two half-ounces to get a full ounce of weed. Sometimes, dispensaries will run sales on larger sizes of weed, so if you’re looking for an ounce, be sure to ask about the current deals.
Who buys ounces? People who smoke a lot, for personal or medical reasons. If you’re buying an entire ounce of cannabis, it’s for cost-efficiency, and you need to be certain you’ll consume it all within its shelf-life.
How long an ounce will last you: Depending on your consumption habits, an ounce can last anywhere from three weeks to two months. If you don’t mind the upfront cost, buying an O is about convenience and cost savings over time.
How much an ounce will cost you in New Jersey: $180 – $400
What about a pound of weed?
If you asked for a pound of weed, you would receive 16 ounces or about 453 grams of cannabis, which is quite a bit of flower. However, the legal possession limit in New Jersey is 6 ounces, so a pound is 10 ounces over the legal limit. A pound of weed at current market prices would cost between $3,000 and $7,000! If it were legal to have, a pound could easily last most consumers more than six months.
FAQs about cannabis measurements
How many grams is one joint of cannabis?
Joints typically come in two sizes: a half gram and a full gram.
A 0.5g joint is small enough for a single person in a single smoke sesh and is also called a “mini” or a “dog walker.” Half-gram joints typically come in a pack of five or seven joints and work well for solo smoke sessions.
A 1g joint is usually enough for two to four people in a single smoke sesh, depending on tolerance. One-gram joints are typically sold in single packs.
What does 28 grams of weed look like?
An ounce (28 grams) of weed looks like a lot of weed! Picture a sandwich bag full of large, resinous buds, and that’s generally what one ounce will look like. Of course, some strains of cannabis are more dense than others, so the appearance will vary depending on the variety of cannabis you’re buying.
How many grams is a zip of cannabis?
A “zip” is among the many slang terms within the cannabis world — it means an ounce of cannabis. The name “zip” caught on because, prior to legalization and licensed dispensaries, an ounce was usually packaged in a Ziploc bag.
How many grams is a dub of cannabis?
A dub is two grams of cannabis. This was a common slang term prior to legalization, but you won’t find dubs in most dispensaries in New Jersey.
How many grams is in a dime bag of weed?
A dime bag is 0.5 grams of cannabis — smaller than most dispensaries sell. You might hear this term in the slang world, but you’ll basically never encounter it in dispensary settings.
Do weed measurements affect potency?
No. Potency is impacted by the THC percentage, the presence of minor cannabinoids like CBD and CBG, and the terpene profile of a strain. For example, a quarter of 19% THC flower isn’t more potent than an eighth of a 25% THC strain. That said, consuming more flower in one sitting will result in more potent effects.
Is there any reason to know about cannabis measurements greater than one ounce?
When shopping at a recreational dispensary, only cannabis measurements of an ounce or less matter. However, every 30 days, most medical cannabis patients can purchase up to three ounces at a time at a medical dispensary (the limit is different for terminal patients). So, if you have a medical card and you’re visiting a medical dispensary instead of a recreational dispensary, you may want to understand measurements of up to three ounces, not just one ounce.
Common cannabis measurements simplified
On the surface, cannabis measurement terms can seem confusing, mixing two different systems of measurement. But once you’ve spent some time with the terms, they start to make sense. Even if you don’t remember them exactly, our budtenders are here to help guide you so you make the right purchase for your needs. Make your way to Boone Town Provisions and pick up your eighths and quarters!
