Cannabis measurement guide: Quantities, weights, and prices

Cannabis flower is sold by weight, typically ranging from 1 gram to 1 pound. Prices on different weights vary between dispensaries but generally fall within certain ranges.

If you’re new to buying cannabis, you may not know which amount is best for your needs. This guide will help you decide how much to buy and give you an idea of what you can expect to pay.

What are the most common weed measurements?

Cannabis flower is measured and sold by its weight in grams, starting with 1 gram.

Sometimes, cannabis measurements are also sold by ounce: 

• Eighth (1/8) ounce = 3.5 grams
• Quarter (1/4) ounce = 7 grams
• Half (1/2) ounce = 14 grams
• Ounce = 28 grams
• Pound = 453 grams

The maximum amount of cannabis you can buy at one time depends on the state you live in and whether you have a medical cannabis card.

Each state has strict possession limits that determine how much a dispensary can sell per transaction. In most states, having a medical cannabis card allows you to purchase a higher amount than a recreational user.

For example, medical cardholders in Maryland can purchase up to 4.2 ounces of cannabis, while recreational users can only purchase 1.5 ounces.

1 gram

Many dispensaries let you buy as little as 1 gram of cannabis flower at a time. This may be best if you’re trying out a new strain and don’t want to commit to a larger purchase amount.

For reference, 1 gram of cannabis usually consists of about one large or two small cannabis flower buds. This can amount to one large or two medium-sized joints.

In most dispensaries, 1 gram will cost you less than $20.

3.5 grams (1/8 ounce)

Sometimes called an “eighth,” 3.5 grams of cannabis can be a good amount to purchase of a strain you have used and liked.

This measurement usually amounts to between two and four cannabis flower buds, depending on their size. Sometimes, it can consist of several small buds.

An eighth of cannabis can give you three generously sized joints.

The cost of 3.5 grams of weed will depend on the strain and where you live. Some strains are more expensive than others, and the average price of cannabis can vary by state. But generally, you can expect to pay between $30 and $70 for 3.5 grams.

7 grams (1/4 ounce)

If you use cannabis daily, 7 grams of flower may be a good amount to purchase to supply you for a week or longer. Of course, this will depend on how much you consume each day.

This amount usually equals a handful of cannabis buds. With 7 grams, you can roll approximately seven large joints.

While costs can vary, you can expect to pay around $100 for 7 grams of cannabis.

14 grams (1/2 ounce)

If you buy 14 grams of cannabis, you can expect around two handfuls of cannabis buds, which can be used to make approximately 14 large joints or up to 30 smaller ones.

You may decide to buy a half ounce of cannabis if you’re looking to stock up for an entire month. If you only use cannabis rarely, this amount may be too much, as cannabis flower can lose its freshness after a few months.

A half ounce of cannabis may cost you between $90 and $160, depending on the strain and prices where you live.

28 grams (1 ounce)

In most dispensaries and states, 1 ounce is the maximum amount of cannabis that recreational users can purchase at one time.

A single ounce of cannabis can fill a standard sandwich bag and produce about 40 to 80 joints, depending on the size. That said, this amount is best for people who use cannabis frequently or are buying cannabis to make large batches of edibles.

The cost of an ounce of weed can range from $150 to $350, depending on the strain and prices in your area.

453 grams (1 pound)

Dispensaries do not sell pounds of cannabis to consumers. But growers and retailers do handle pounds of cannabis at a time, which will be broken up into smaller quantities that can be sold in dispensaries.

A pound of cannabis can cost between $750 and $3,000, depending on factors like the strain. This price would only be available to retailers who purchase cannabis at wholesale prices.

How to choose between different weed sizes

When considering how much cannabis to buy from a dispensary, you should take into account:

• Your budget: Buying smaller quantities at a time may best fit your budget, but buying larger quantities typically means paying less over time, as many dispensaries offer bulk pricing.
• How much cannabis you use: Frequent cannabis users may prefer to buy larger quantities at a time so they can go to the dispensary less often.
• Your doctor’s recommendations: If you’re using cannabis to help treat a health condition, your doctor may recommend a certain dose or amount of cannabis per day. This might affect how much you buy at one time.
• Your state’s possession laws: Each state has clear laws on how much flower recreational and medical cannabis users can possess at one time. This will limit how much you can purchase from a dispensary per transaction.

The bottom line: Cannabis is sold by the gram, and prices vary

Most dispensaries offer a variety of cannabis measurements to choose from. These will vary in price depending on the quantity, the strain, and your location.

If you have a medical cannabis card, you likely have access to higher purchase amounts than recreational users. 

In most states, having a medical card also saves you money on taxes, among other benefits. Leafwell’s telehealth services can help you get your medical card quickly and easily.

Resources

• Adult-use cannabis FAQs. https://cannabis.maryland.gov/Pages/cannabisfaq.aspx
• Rules for purchasing limits. https://cannabis.maryland.gov/documents/rules%20for%20purchasing%20limits.pdf

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