Before the golden age of weed that we currently live in– when cannabis lovers got their flower from their local dealer– terms like an “eighth” were constantly exchanged. Fast forward to our current day shopping experience and you’ll find that old habits die hard. If you walk into any dispensary, you’ll likely see eighths on the menu. For dispensary regulars, the lingo causes no confusion. For new cannabis buyers, however, questions like “what is an eighth”, “how many grams are in an eighth”, and “is an eighth the right amount for me?” may come up.
When you break it down, the answers to each of these questions are pretty simple.
The term “eighth” in cannabis culture refers to one-eighth of an ounce, approximately 3.5 grams. The origin of this slang is rooted in the historical context of cannabis transactions. During the illicit era of marijuana trade, dealers commonly divided larger quantities into smaller, more manageable portions for sale.
The “eighth” became a discreet way to discuss a specific quantity without explicitly mentioning the substance. This underground lexicon emerged alongside cannabis prohibition, reflecting the covert nature of the industry. As societal attitudes towards cannabis evolve, the term “eighth” persists, now more openly used in legalized contexts as a nod to the plant’s complex history.
What Is An Eighth?
Put simply, an eighth is a term to describe a measurement of cannabis. The term is slang for ⅛ of an ounce or 3.5 grams. Think of it like buying a cup coffee. Instead of a 12oz, 16oz, or 20oz option, dispensaries will sell cannabis in grams, eigths, and ounces. To break it down even further, the standardized amounts of cannabis are as follows:
- One gram
- An eighth (3.5 grams)
- A quarter (7 grams)
- A half (14 grams)
- An ounce (28 grams)
The cost of an eighth will vary from dispensary to dispensary. Some factors that will influence the price of an eight include cannabis quality, local market prices, and tax. Typically, you can purchase a pretty decent eighth for $30-$40.
How Many Grams Are In An Eighth?
Understanding how many grams are in an eighth is easy once you get familiar with the different standards of measurement listed above. Put simply, an eighth typically contains 3.5 grams of cannabis. Additionally, some brands sell their eighth bags with 4 grams instead of 3.5.
To put it in perspective, a penny weighs 3 grams. This may lead new buyers to assume that an eighth is a very small amount of weed and wonder what an eighth of weed actually looks like. One thing to keep in mind when purchasing an eighth is that visually the sizes may seem different. This is because different strains have different densities, textures, concentrations, and shapes. For example, an eighth of a Pineapple Kush strain may look bigger than a tightly packed Girl Scout Cookies strain.
Is An Eighth The Right Amount For Me?
After understanding how many grams are in an eighth, you may not know if it’s the right amount for you.
A gram of weed will typically be enough to roll 1-2 joints, a small blunt, or pack 2-4 bowls. Since an eighth has 3.5 grams, it should theoretically be enough to get at least two decent sized blunts, 3-5 nice joints, or 6-8 bowls roughly. Keep in mind that these amounts will vary from person to person depending on the size of their joints, blunts, and bowls.
To determine if an eighth is right for you, consider your needs. Will you be sharing the bud with friends? How long do you want it to last? How often will you be smoking? Then, consult with your local budtender to see if an eighth will do the job.
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