Measuring weed has definitely changed over the past few decades, but it has always been important to determine the quantity of your cannabis strain before putting it in the proper storage container. Also, it is good to check the weight after leaving a legal cannabis dispensary to see if you received what you paid for.
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Units of Measurement for Weed
When measuring weed, it’s vital to understand your scales. Marijuana is measured in both metric and imperial scales: grams; then ounces and pounds. These terms come up in almost every marijuana conversation and transaction, so it’s good to have a firm understanding of them.
Small amounts of weed are measured in grams, while bigger amounts are weighed in ounces and pounds. Here’s a quick rundown of the units of measurements for weed, followed by those quantities’ accepted names.
How Many Grams Are in an Eighth?
Eighth (1/8 oz) = 3.5 Grams
How Many Grams Are in a Quarter Ounce?
Quarter Ounce (1/4 oz) = 7 Grams
How Many Grams Are in a Half Ounce?
Half Ounce (1/2 oz) = 14 Grams
How Many Grams Are in an Ounce?
Ounce (1 oz) = 28 Grams
How Many Grams Are in a Quarter Pound (QP)?
Quarter Pound (1/4 LB) = 112 Grams
How Many Grams Are in a Pound?
Pound (1 LB) = 448 Grams
How Many Ounces Are in a Quarter Pound (QP)?
Quarter Pound (1/4 LB) = 4 OUNCES
How Many Ounces Are in a Pound?
Pound (1 LB) = 16 OUNCES
This rundown of commonly-desired weed quantities should help you avoid miscommunications in conversation. Most people buy quantities under an ounce, so those terms should be familiar, but how does the overall process work?
Weighing out Weed
When it comes to measuring weed, there are some simple techniques to simplify the whole process, especially in today’s digital age. One simple trick is to place the marijuana in a cup. This strategy is useful because a lot more weed can fit vertically in the cup than horizontally on a tray or platform.
Back in the day of analog weighing instruments, the weight of the cup had to be subtracted. Digital scales today have a “tare” function that zeros out the weight of the object on the scale (in the example, the cup) ensuring that only the weed is measured.
Scales are used to measure marijuana, usually just to the tenth decimal, such as 3.5 grams –an eighth of an ounce. Scales are great for home growers or skeptics who buy their herb at a neighborhood dispensary. Some scales can be set to measure weed in grams or in ounces, depending on the size of what you are measuring. Prices increase for scales that can weigh either a large quantity or measure quantities down to a more precise number.
Final Thoughts and Tips
- If you’re looking to invest in a scale, look for one that measures to the tenth decimal. Anything else is overkill.
- For adding weight to your weed: use a humidifier to add moisture.
- Another alternative is to place a cue tip dipped in water at the bottom of the jar or bag of weed. Added moisture helps keep your flower from drying out and subsequently weighing less.
- Some cannabis enthusiasts use orange peels as humidifiers. The only catch is that it leaves your weed smelling like citrus, and if left too long with your buds, it can cause mold to develop.
- Buying an eighth (3.5 grams) is cheaper than buying 3 grams. Buying weed by the gram isn’t necessarily recommended because better deals exist for larger quantities of flower.
- It depends on where you are. In states where marijuana is decriminalized, going rates for grams of weed sit around $10.
- Scales will come in handy if you ever start cooking with weed.
So whether you’re buying weed for your first time or just brushing up on weed units of measurement, knowing the difference between a quarter ounce and a QP (quarter pound) could make all the difference.
Updated by Roma Almich
