Marijuana Measurements: How Many Grams Are in an Ounce of Cannabis?

• An ounce of marijuana weighs 28 grams
• Ounce fractions are popular units for marijuana sales, including:
  • Halves – ½
  • Quarters – ¼
  •  and Eighths – ⅛ 
• A half ounce of marijuana is 14 grams
• A quarter is equal to 7 grams
• An eighth equals 3.5 grams
• An ounce is the maximum amount of recreational marijuana a user can legally purchase or hold in several U.S. states.

If you’re just beginning your cannabis journey, you probably have questions about the units of measurement and quantities in which it’s sold. From cannabis ounces and half-ounces to quarters and eighths, there’s a lot to learn.

In this guide, we’ll help you explore the most common units of measurement and figure out which quantities are right for your personal use. We’ll also give you a better understanding of the ounce—a key cannabis unit and the maximum amount of recreational marijuana a user can legally purchase or hold in several U.S. states.

Curious about legal cannabis measurements? This is where you’ll find answers to most-asked questions, including…

• How is cannabis measured?
• How much does an ounce of marijuana weigh?
•  What does a gram of marijuana look like?
• How much is a gram of marijuana?
• How many grams are in a joint?

So read on, and soon you’ll be able to purchase cannabis from local dispensaries like a pro. 

Before you become an expert in marijuana measurements, it helps to understand how many grams are in an ounce of marijuana, in a half-ounce, a quarter ounce and an eighth.

So how much does an ounce of marijuana weigh? There are:

• 28 grams in an ounce (oz) of cannabis (roughly a full sandwich-size Ziploc bag)
• 14 grams in a half-ounce of marijuana
• 7 grams in a quarter-ounce of cannabis
• 3.5 grams in an eighth-ounce of marijuana

When you hear people discussing eighths, quarters, and halves, you know they are usually talking about ounces and not grams or pounds. Consumers and growers alike refer to an eighth ounce as simply “an eighth,” a quarter-ounce as simply “a quarter,” etc.

Producers, dispensaries, and other sellers use a variety of cannabis measurements, including standard units like grams, ounces, and pounds, but also informal ones like dime bags, zips, and dubs.

A gram is typically the smallest amount of cannabis you can purchase. A large joint will take about a gram.

An eighth is a popular unit for occasional smokers. Equivalent to 3.5 grams, it makes for three or four substantial joints. A quarter would make seven large joints, and a half would make 14. Naturally, a whole ounce of cannabis would enable you to roll at least 28 shareable joints.

One pound equals 16 marijuana ounces or about 450 grams, enough to roll one very large joint a day for over a year. You are unlikely to ever see a whole pound of marijuana if you are not a grower or retailer.

Appearances can be deceiving, and cannabis is not an exception. A sparse and fluffy nug can weigh the same as a smaller, compact one. So you should always rely on what the scales are telling you rather than visual impressions.

Several factors impact cannabis density. Indica strains typically yield heavier buds, while Sativas are usually airier and lighter. The drying process is also a factor. For instance, buds that have dried for a shorter time will be denser due to water content.

As one savvy Quora user put it, “It’s impossible to accurately eye out a weight measure of anything, especially something that can vary in its qualities as much as a bud of cannabis.”

When you’re buying cannabis for personal use, you may opt for buying by the gram for the sake of simplicity or buy by the ounce. Wondering how many joints you can roll with one ounce of marijuana?

While there is no clear-cut rule, users report rolling somewhere between 40 and 60 average-size joints with one ounce of marijuana. 

New York researchers recently established the content of a joint as 0.66 grams. Of course, scientists need to have an exact number to make calculations, but that doesn’t always reflect how people are rolling for personal use.

A regular consumer who smokes daily can roll a single joint with as much as two grams of cannabis. If you are an occasional smoker, you may roll as many as four joints with one gram, but these probably wouldn’t last very long in a group setting.

Rolling one joint with one gram would simplify the math, and it is indeed a popular choice. If you are planning to share a joint with a few people, one gram is definitely a reasonable amount.

Whether you have been around the block or are just getting started, knowing about marijuana measurements is a total asset when trying to figure out how much you need to purchase based on your consumption habits. Still on the fence between grams and ounces? Ask patient care specialists at your local RISE dispensary—they love giving personalized recommendations.

The price of marijuana varies from state to state. Strain, THC content, and overall quality also impact pricing. A high-quality product can be expensive, but one of the greatest benefits of cannabis is that it can relieve pain, stress and depression without the side effects of (often pricier) prescription drugs.

An ounce is a convenient amount for an individual consumer because many dispensaries offer discounts when you buy a whole ounce. According to an online survey by Priceofweed.com, the price of an ounce of cannabis in the U.S. ranges from $266 to $597.

• $597 for one ounce of high-quality cannabis in the District of Columbia (highest price nationwide)
• $210 for one ounce of high-quality cannabis in Oregon (lowest price nationwide)
• $326 is the national average for an ounce of high-quality cannabis

• $550 for one ounce of medium-quality cannabis in the District of Columbia (highest price nationwide)
• $170 for one ounce of medium-quality cannabis in Mississippi (lowest price nationwide)
• $266 is the national average for an ounce of medium-quality cannabis

• $13.92 for one high-quality pre-roll joint in the District of Columbia (highest)
• $4.91 for one high-quality joint in Oregon (lowest)
• $7.59 is the national average 

• $12.82 for one medium-quality joint in the District of Columbia (highest)
• $4.91 for one medium-quality joint in Mississippi (lowest)
• $6.18 is the national average 

Looking for flower? It’s likely that RISE has a Marijuana Dispensary nearby. Find a Dispensary near me.