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What Is an 8th of Weed? Exploring Size, Cost & Quality

This article is part of our Best Dispensaries in Los Angeles series, sponsored by ProjCan in North Hollywood.

When sampling new strains of weed, your best bet is to start with small purchases until you understand what you like and how it affects you. While you could buy as little as a gram, an 8th of weed is a good amount to sample and perhaps share with a friend. What is an eighth, and what do you need to know about this weed measurement?

What Is an 8th of Weed?

A 1/8 of weed is a weight measurement, referring to an eighth of an ounce of flower. This could be measured by eyeballing it, as an eighth is typically 3-4 large buds or 6-8 smaller ones (roughly the size of marbles).

Some people measure with a ruler, a coin, or a smartphone app. However, the weed you buy in dispensaries is usually measured with a digital scale, as this offers the greatest accuracy.

How Does an Eighth Compare to Other Weed Measurements?

Small amounts of weed are measured in grams, while larger volumes are measured in ounces or fractions of ounces. In practical terms, 1 gram of weed yields 1-2 joints or 2-3 bowls. How many grams is an 8th of weed? It’s about 3.5 grams, which delivers 6-7 joints or 7-10 bowls.

For comparison:

• A fourth is about 7 grams (12-14 joints or 14-25 bowls)
• A half is about 14 grams (30 joints or 40-50 bowls)
• An ounce is about 28 grams (60 joints or up to 100 bowls)

Buying an eighth is a great way to try out strains or share with a friend, and many dispensaries offer deals on eighths, as they’re among the most popular flower purchases. However, if you already know you like a certain strain, you might save more with ounce deals.

How Many 8ths are in a Zip?

Whether you’re just getting introduced to slang in the world of weed, or are all too familiar with terms like “dime bag” and “zip,” it’s worth doing some digging on hip cannabis lingo so you can keep up with the times. The term zip emerged from the common usage of using a ziploc bag to hold an ounce of weed. 

How many eighths are in a zip? If we know how much is an 8th of weed, which is 3.5 grams, we know that a zip would be 8 eighths of weed–which measures out to an ounce. A zip is also equivalent to 4 quarters. You could even say you want half a zip, which would mean a half ounce.

How an Eighth of Weed Looks

An eighth of an ounce is a weight measurement, but how much is an eighth of weed in terms of volume? The answer can vary. You might notice that some strains appear to have more or less volume for the same weight measurement. This is because size doesn’t always correlate equally to weight.

Different strains may be denser or fluffier, causing an eighth to look like more or less than you’re used to. Factors like the way plants are trimmed, how much moisture they retain, and the process and environment used for drying can all impact the size and how the final product appears. 

Keep in mind there are 28 grams in an ounce, so if an eighth seems small, try measuring it in grams for the greatest accuracy.

Different Types of Cannabis Available in an Eighth

There are countless strains of cannabis on the market, with new ones being developed all the time. However, there are two main categories (marijuana and hemp) and three main strains (indica, sativa, and hybrid).

Marijuana, which contains higher concentrations of THC, delivers the psychoactive high and entourage effect associated with the full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds found in the cannabis plant. 

Hemp, on the other hand, tends to have more CBD and negligible THC (0.3% or less), so you can enjoy many of the same benefits without feeling high.

As for strains, indica is known for delivering a relaxing, full-body high, while sativa offers a more energizing head high. Hybrids combine these two strains to produce different effects. Understanding what you can expect from each strain could help you determine whether an 8th of weed will meet your needs or if you prefer a different amount.

How Much Does an Eighth of Weed Cost?

The price for an 8th of weed can vary depending on a number of factors. What can impact the cost, and what price range is reasonable?

Factors that Affect the Cost of an Eighth of Weed

The price of weed can vary based on where you buy it, the strains you prefer, and the overall quality. Quality may be determined by genetics, the structure of the plant (look and feel), cannabinoid content (more or less THC or CBD, for example), flavors and aromas, and other criteria.

Average Cost of an Eighth of Weed

You can expect to pay about $35-60 for an eighth of weed. However, it’s always wise to pay attention to discounts, deals, and promotions offered by preferred dispensaries so you can save on purchases.

Where to Buy an Eighth of Weed

The best place to buy 1/8 of weed is at a licensed dispensary, where you know you’ll find safe, potent, and consistent products. In California, adults age 21 and over can buy up to 28.5 grams of recreational weed daily in-store or order online for pick-up or delivery (with a valid CA ID).

Project Cannabis in Los Angeles is an award-winning dispensary offering a range of daily deals, along with discounts for new patients, veterans, students, seniors, and more.

Ways to Consume an 8th of Weed

There are many ways to consume a weed, and some methods are more fast-acting than others. Different methods of consuming an eighth of weed include smoking, vaping, and using edibles. There are also intricate contraptions such as electric dab rigs, volcanos, and floor bongs, which might be the method of choice for those hoping to get an intense, potent high. 

You may start to feel the effects of weed after smoking and vaping within 5-15 minutes after you first inhale, and the high could last anywhere from an hour and a half to 3 or 4 hours. Edibles deliver a more gradual high, taking anywhere from 30-90 minutes to kick in, and can be felt for a bit longer than smoking weed. Bear in mind, some residual effects can last even longer–up to 12 hours, so if you are sensitive to weed or want to avoid being overwhelmed with psychological effects, it is best to avoid consuming too much. Be mindful, start small, and work your way up if you still don’t feel the effects after an hour or two.

Will Consuming an 8th of Weed Get You High?

We now know that the answer to “how much is an eighth in grams?” is 28.35 grams,it’s important to understand how and why consuming an 8th of weed affects users differently, especially for those whose tolerance is low or nonexistent. 

To put it into perspective, 1/8th of weed is 3.5 grams, or 525 milligrams of THC. If you’ve ever had a gummy, and a single gummy–which is typically 5-10mg, sometimes more, makes you feel loosey goosey, then an entire 8th of weed is sure to send you to space. Especially if you have a lower tolerance, an 8th of weed is likely too much to smoke or consume in one sitting, and can leave you feeling dizzy, restless, paranoid, nauseous, and beyond. For regular pot smokers, an 8th might be easy to consume, and last only a day or two. Tolerance and potency are huge factors in answering this question.

How Long Will an 8th of Weed Last?

So how long will an 8th of weed typically last on your shelf, and how long will you be high? After ingesting, inhaling, consuming, smoking, or vaping an 8th of weed, you are likely going to feel the effects for several hours. If you are an avid cannabis user, the effects might seem fairly mild,  but for the newbies out there, and even casual weed smokers, an 8th of weed can result in dramatic changes in emotions, paranoia, lead to dizziness and vomiting, and certainly feel like the feeling may never end. The experience might be pleasant for some–having you soaring into the skies–but for others, the experience won’t be so pleasant. Expect the high to last several hours–perhaps even up to 12 with residual effects spanning up to a 24 hour period.

An entire 8th of weed is quite a bit for an occasional smoker, and could last you two weeks. Remember that weed is most potent and fresh when first opened–once the seal is broken the shelf life starts to wither away. For everyday smokers that don’t consider themselves a stoner, an 8th will last about a week–roughly one joint per day. The frequency at which you smoke and how high your tolerances will help you understand how quickly you’ll go through an 8th.

Getting the Most from Your Eighths

An 8th of weed is a great place to start when exploring new strains. It’s enough to give you a good idea of whether you like a product without breaking the bank. When you understand the volume, quality, and cost of an eighth, you can make the best purchasing decisions.