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Weed Weights 101: How Much Is an Ounce of Weed?

This post is part of our Best Dispensaries in San Diego series, sponsored by Cannabist San Diego.

When you begin exploring the wide world of marijuana, you may concern yourself with learning about the flavors and effects of different strains. However, you might want to start by understanding what you can expect from different volumes and measurements of weed.

How much is an ounce of weed, in practical terms? What fractions of an ounce can you purchase, and why do some strains appear to offer more product per ounce than others?

What can you expect to pay for an ounce, and why do prices vary? Here’s everything you need to know when purchasing weed for your personal needs. 

How Much Is an Ounce of Weed?

The best way to understand what an ounce of weed looks like is to break it down into smaller increments. The smallest amount of flower sold is one gram, consisting of one larger bud or 1-2 smaller buds, each about the size of a marble. 

Keep in mind that different strains of weed may have varying densities, so a gram of denser weed might look a bit smaller than a gram of a fluffier variety.

With this small amount, you can roll 1-2 joints, depending on how large you like them, or pack 2-3 average-size bowls. Typically, pre-roll joints feature either a half gram or a full gram of flower.

There are 28 grams in an ounce of weed, so if you purchase a full ounce, you should have enough flower to make roughly 60 joints or up to about 100 bowls. 

If a gram is too little and an ounce is too much, you can also purchase an eighth of an ounce, or about 3.5 grams (6-7 joints, 7-10 bowls), a quarter, or 7 grams (12-14 joints, 14-25 bowls), or a half, or 14 grams (30 joints, 40-50 bowls). 

How Much Does an Ounce of Weed Cost?

Understanding what you’ll get from your weed purchase is important, but you probably also want to know how much is an ounce of weed, in terms of pricing. This is a difficult question to answer because pricing varies widely based on a range of factors.

On average, you could find an ounce of weed somewhere in the neighborhood of $320, but you could also pay as little as about half that amount, or you might find significantly higher pricing. Your location could play a major role as well.

According to a 2023 Statista comparison, you could pay as little as about $210 in Oregon for an ounce of high-quality weed. That same ounce will set you back roughly $270 in Nevada, $350 in Illinois, and $590 in Washington, D.C. 

Factors that Affect the Price of an Ounce of Weed

When asking how much does an ounce of weed cost, it’s important to understand that pricing is based on several factors. Location definitely has a major influence on the cost of an ounce, and because there are no clear standards for pricing, it could even vary by dispensary within a given region.

Pricing could also reflect the type and quality of weed you purchase, with rarer or more desirable strains seeing a price bump. Seasonality might impact the availability and pricing of popular strains. Strains are also categorized as high-, medium-, or low-quality, which naturally affects cost. 

Different Types of Weed and their Prices

Determining how much is an ounce of weed will depend somewhat on the type of weed. This includes broad categories like indica, sativa, and hybrid, as well as specific strains.

Indica, known for producing a relaxing, whole-body high, tends to be more common and, therefore, more affordable.

Sativa, known for its energizing head high, is rarer and, therefore, usually pricier. Hybrid mixtures of the two fall somewhere in the middle, although, again, the particular strains involved will play a role. The amount of certain cannabinoids may also impact the cost.

A greater volume of THC, which creates the euphoric, psychoactive effects associated with marijuana, could infer a higher cost. Hemp CBD, on the other hand, features 0.3% THC or less, so products are significantly less expensive. 

Where to Find and Buy an Ounce of Weed

Now that you have some idea about how much is an ounce of marijuana in terms of size and price, it’s time to figure out where to purchase cannabis products. In California, you’ll want to look for a licensed dispensary that sells a wide range of safe, legal products.

Cannabist in San Diego is a great place to find the most popular strains, and daily deals help you save on your favorites. The atmosphere is welcoming, and the friendly and knowledgeable team is always available to help you understand what to expect from different strains and products. 

In California, adults age 21 and over can legally purchase and possess up to 28.5 grams of recreational flower per day, with higher limits for medical marijuana patients.

Can I Buy More Than an Ounce of Weed at a Time?

Is it possible to buy more than an ounce of weed at a time? Medical marijuana patients have different regulations than recreational marijuana users when it comes to purchasing and possessing weed, and all of those rules and regulations also vary by state. 

For example, in California, medical marijuana patients can purchase up to 8 ounces of medical cannabis each day. Adults 21 and over can purchase up to 1 ounce of recreational marijuana a day in California. In Arizona on the other hand, medical marijuana patients may only purchase up to 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana within a 14 day period. Of course, it is best to do your diligence and research what the laws state is legal to purchase and possess in your state. 

How Long Will an Ounce of Weed Last?

Of course, the answer to how long an ounce of weed will typically last depends on a persons tolerance, body weight and height, and the quality of your weed–among other things. How much is an ounce of weed, you ask? An ounce weighs in at around 28.3 grams. 

Converted to joints, 28 grams equates to around 60-65 joints. If you smoke a joint a day “to keep the doctor away,” your ounce could last you around 2 full months. If you smoke an 8th of weed a day, on the other hand, an ounce of weed may only hold you over for a week–if you are smoking solo. An ounce is made up if 8 eighths, which is why you often hear budtenders referring to an 8th of weed in relation to an ounce.

Less avid weed smokers–who consume roughly an 8th of weed once a week–may have their ounce last up to two months, if they consume it all on your own. That said, if you are wanting to share the smoking experience with your friends, you might run through an entire ounce between your group over a few days–maybe even one night if your crew has a high tolerance,

Converting Weed Measurements

So now that we know how long an ounce of weed will last, let’s dissect the question–how much is an ounce of weed? You’ll likely see measurements for weed in grams or milligrams when purchasing edibles. If you are purchasing a lot of flower, you’ll Gram, Eighth, Quarter, Half. We know that there are roughly 28 grams of weed in an ounce, but did you know that there are roughly 3.5 grams in an eighth, and 5.6 grams in a quarter? Since a half simply means a half ounce, just divide 28 grams by ½ and you’ve got yourself a half ounce–14 grams!

We’ve covered a lot of bases here, but let’s dive a bit deeper to get clarity on the question “how much does an oz of weed cost?” The cost of an ounce of weed differs depending on dispensary, brand, strain as aforementioned, and most importantly–what state you purchase from, mainly due to state laws and regulations. In California, for example, you’re looking at around $260 for high quality cannabis. Texas, on the other hand, you’re looking at around $320 for an ounce of quality flower. For an ounce of weed in Arizona, the cost weighs in at a little under $300. All that said, you may have a stroke of luck and stumble across a promotion at a dispensary that offers discounted ounces on specific days or from a certain brand–perhaps even top shelf kush.

What’s in an Ounce?

How much is an oz of weed by volume? It’s enough for about 60 joints. How much will it cost you? It could be anywhere from about $200-$600, depending on factors like location, quality, strain, and more. 

Understanding weed measurements and the factors affecting pricing can help you prioritize your purchases and find the best products for your needs and preferences at a cost you can afford.