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Guide to Cannabis and Weed Measurements

Guide to Cannabis and Weed Measurements

How much weed is in a zip? What’s a dimebag? Let us guide you in a world of old and new lingo when it comes to weed measurements, weights and sizes.

There are many reasons we have so many names for the different weights of cannabis which usually refers back to the times before weed legalization. Fans of some "kind bud" needed a way to keep it on the down-low, and of course, also because using slang is fun and creates a tight community.

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In countries and states, today, where weed has finally become legal there really isn't a need to keep using these measurements as you'd buy by the gram from a dispensary. But as said, it is still a part of the cannabis culture and companies might still market their legal products as dime-bags as an example. 

If you're aiming to be a true stoner, other than repping our stoner t-shirts, you should definitely know all the different code words for marijuana and its weight. Have a look at the table below and read on for more information.

Weed Measurements Guide & Chart

In this infographic you get a visual aid of what the common weed measurements of marijuana looks like as well as what a pre-roll looks like and its weight. Since cannabis flower can weigh differently depending on the density, the pictures are an approximate.

Weed measurement chart - visual of joints, cannabis flower, weights and slang

What are the most common weed weights when buying?

When buying cannabis, knowing common measurements and sizes is crucial. Marijuana is sold by weight, with popular sizes being grams, eighths, quarters, halves, and ounces. A gram is the smallest unit, ideal for trying a new strain or occasional use. An eighth (3.5 grams) is popular among casual consumers, balancing quantity and cost. A quarter (7 grams) and half (14 grams) cater to regular users, providing sufficient cannabis without overspending. An ounce (28 grams) is preferred by heavy users or those seeking bulk savings. Familiarize yourself with these measurements for a hassle-free experience and to choose the right amount for your needs.

What is a gram?

A gram is a metric unit of mass that is equal to one-thousandth of a kilogram. It is used widely across the world, from cooking to science and engineering. While it may seem like an incredibly small amount, grams are actually considered to be an ideal choice for cannabis users who are looking to purchase smaller quantities of the product, such as when trying out a new strain or if they don't consume cannabis regularly. Selling weed by the gram also gives customers more flexibility in terms of how much they want to buy which can help them stick to their budget better.

A gram is 0.035 ounces.

In the imperial weight system, the smallest unit is an ounce. Since an ounce is much heavier than a gram it is not common to convert from ounces to grams.

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What is a Zip of Weed?

A zip equals an ounce of marijuana. An ounce or 28 grams of weed. The term "zip" was inspired by packaging an ounce or 28 grams of weed in a Ziploc bag.

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How much does a Zip of Weed Cost?

Depending on where you're getting your weed from and its quality, you can buy a zip of weed for about $100 for low-quality to $300 for great high quality weed. 

Buying cannabis in ounces or pounds

How much is an ounce of weed?

One of the most common terms when coming to weed weights (especially out if the US) is an ounce. Now an ounce is a lot of weed and usually not quantities that normal cannabis smokers deal in.

An ounce of weed is 28.35 grams.

For reference, other things that weigh approximately an ounce could be a pencil, a CD disc or a AA battery. As you can tell, the size of an ounce of weed is going to be much larger than other things of the same weight.

How much is a pound of weed?

If we're in the territory where we are talking about pounds, we're definitely out of the scope of even an OG's weed usage. This is a term and weight that is more common for dispensaries, growers, dealers and professionals.

A pound of weed is 453.6 grams, or 16 ounces.

What is a cannabis nug?

A nug is used for real weed measurements but usually slangily refers to a chunk of high quality cannabis. It is usually one whole piece of cannabis flower after it has been trimmed. The term comes from the word “nugget”. Here’s a prime example on our McNuggs weed shirt.

measuring and rolling a joint of cannabis

Measured in cash

What is a dime bag?

This is an older term but can still be a favorite amongst older stoners. Dimebags are not measured in weight, but in price. As you can understand this isn't a very useful measurement where cannabis is legal or where you have access to many different strains of weed.

A dime bag is $10 worth of weed.

What is a dub?

A dub is similar to a dime bag also referring to the price of the weed and not the weight. The derivation of the word came from the slang term "dubs," which refers to car rims that are at least 20 inches in diameter.

A dub is $20 worth of weed.


Measurement Tools

A must have item for all stoners is a reliable scale for weed measurements. You want to look for a scale that is at least accurate down to 0.1 grams but preferably 0.01 if possible. If you go for even more accurate scales the price of the scale is gonna be much more than the savings you get from measuring out your marijuana flower.

Common scales for measuring weedYou can find cannabis scales from as cheap as $10 up to hundreds of dollars for professional tools.

As long as you don't need professional grade equipment, we recommend going for a low budget scale that can measure down to 0.01 gram.

 

 

If you are only dealing with cannabis recreationally for your own use, it is more than enough. Don't spend $100 on a scale, spend it on weed. Even if the scale loses accuracy over time, it is minimal. And you can always calibrate it again with something as simple as coins.

  • A penny (1 cent) weighs exactly 2.5g (0.088 oz)
  • A nickel (5 cents) weighs exactly 5g (0.176 oz)

Not accounting for wear and tear on coins. Source: United States Mint

So if you need a calibration weight of 50g (they don't always come with one), just stack up 10 nickels and place them on the scale.


How Can You Keep Your Weed Fresh

When handling and storing large amounts of marijuana it's probably going to last you a while. Even if it just an ounce, it's important to keep your buds fresh to keep its flavor, potency, and aroma. We wouldn't want any of the CBD or THC to deteriorate.

Weed won’t stay fresh for long in moist areas, high temperatures, or when exposed to oxygen. Moisture encourages the growth of mold and mildew. Keeping your weed in a controlled environment of relative humidity of 55% to 65% goes a long way. If you are struggling with this, pick up some Boveda packs. Pop them in your container and it should keep the weed at a steady and optimal 62% humidity for nice sticky buds.

You can pick up some fancy looking weed jars but any mason jar with a seal will do.

The same goes for temperature – high temperature causes terpenes and cannabinoids to dry out. Terpenes affect the taste and the aroma of weed. The right temperature to store your weed is about 60°F to 70°F. The ideal storage of weed also includes keeping it in an airtight container and in a cool dark place.


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