Cannabis is sold in many weights, from single grams to full ounces and even more in between. One of the most commonly known forms of cannabis measurement by weight is an eighth—but what exactly does that mean?
Due to the nature of cannabis pricing, the different baselines and metrics for the overall cost can get pretty confusing. Don’t worry; we’ll break it all down for you. From where the term came from to how much you can expect to spend on an eighth of quality cannabis, you’ll be an expert by the end of this post.
What Is an Eighth and Why Is It Called That?
An eighth is called an eighth simply because it’s an eighth of an ounce of cannabis—a near-perfect portion if you’re not a heavy smoker and want to light up a good amount of a particular strain. It’s also casually referred to as a “slice,” a “half-quarter,” simply “an E,” or even “a Henry” in some regions.
For many consumers, understanding that an eighth is an eighth of an ounce is all they need to know. But if you want to get specific with cannabis weights, switching to grams is a good idea. While the ounce is the smallest commonly used unit in the standard “imperial” system, the gram is the smallest commonly used unit in the metric system—not only is it far more precise, it’s also the measurement typically used in dispensaries.
How much is an eighth in grams? First, an ounce is equivalent to 28.35 grams—though that number is typically rounded down to 28 grams. To find out how many grams are in an eighth, you only need to divide 28 by eight, which equals 3.5 grams. For comparison, that’s about the same weight as four paper clips or two dimes.
Here’s a handy reference guide:
- An eighth = 1/8th of an ounce
- 1/8th of an ounce = 3.5 grams
- 3.5 grams = about the weight of two dimes
How Many Bowls, Blunts, and Joints Can an Eighth of Cannabis Fill?
As you’re probably aware, if you like to roll your own joints and blunts, there’s no “standard size” for filling them with cannabis, and arguably even less for bowls. Depending on how tightly they’re rolled, packed, or stuffed, these smoking methods can contain any amount of your stash. However, if you’re searching for pre-rolls at your local dispensary, you’ll almost always find singles or 2-packs containing a whole gram of weed.
For the sake of argument, we’ll share some rough estimates to give you an idea of just how much you can get out of your eighth cannabis purchase.
Joints
If you’re working with single wide rolling papers (68-70mm x 34-36mm), which are generally accepted as the standard size, and each of those joints holds an average of 0.66 grams—as reported by The New York Times—then an eighth of weed should provide you with enough cannabis to roll 4 – 5 joints, all things being equal.
Blunts
Blunts are not to everyone’s taste, but for some, a hollowed-out cigar packed with weed is the only way to fly. Of course, cigars come in many different sizes, but on average, a blunt contains roughly a gram of weed. So, if you’re preparing blunts, an eighth should get you between 2 – 3 blunts.
Bowls
Some sources suggest that a 14mm bowl is the “standard size” on pipes and bongs—that’s just a bit over an inch across. Assuming that a bowl holds roughly 0.3 to 0.5 grams of cannabis, packed moderately tightly while still allowing decent airflow, you can expect to get somewhere between 7 – 11 bowls from an eighth of cannabis.
How Much Does an Eighth Cost?
Though cannabis is now legal in most states, each state maintains its own laws and governance over pricing, so it can be especially tricky to get a solid answer about the cost across the board. That said, most places set the price for an eighth between $35 and $60, with special introductory deals, top-shelf status, and ultra-premium offerings stretching those boundaries in either direction.
Speaking of deals, some dispensaries offer what’s known as a “5-gram eighth.” That’s not a math mistake but a clue that they’re offering you a bonus. Seeing as an eighth contains 3.5 grams, a 5-gram eighth means you’re getting almost 50% more weed than you would and at the same price as a standard eighth. If you see this deal, take it!
Shop Premium Eighths at Green Goods
Whether you’re shopping for eighths, grams, or ounces, you’ll always find quality cannabis at Green Goods. As the favored family of cannabis dispensaries in Maryland and Minnesota, we make it our business to source the best, freshest, and most exciting strains available anywhere. Start by picking the Green Goods dispensary closest to you, and then browse the online menu, or stop in, say hello to our friendly budtenders, and take a look for yourself.
Plus, we love saying “Thank you!” to our many loyal customers, so we created our generous Green Goods Loyalty program. Sign up today and start earning points to save and use for discounts on future purchases—including eighths!
If you’re ready to expand your cannabis knowledge even further, visit our cannabis blog for an in-depth look at topics surrounding the munchies, how to properly roll a joint, and other must-know information. Or, drop us a line; we’re always here to help!
