Weed Measurements Guide
Weed measurements are gram-based weights. A gram is the smallest unit, an eighth is 3.5 grams, a quarter is 7 grams, a half is 14 grams, and an ounce is 28 grams. In New York, adults 21+ can buy up to 3 ounces of flower per day at a licensed dispensary.
- One eighth
- 3.5 grams of cannabis flower
- One ounce
- 28 grams (8 eighths)
- NY daily purchase limit
- Up to 3 ounces of flower per day, 21+
- Common menu units
- 1g, 3.5g (eighth), 7g (quarter), 14g (half), 28g (ounce)
What are the standard weed measurements?
Cannabis flower is sold by weight in grams. The standard ladder runs gram (1g), eighth (3.5g), quarter (7g), half (14g), and ounce (28g). Each step roughly doubles the one before it, so an ounce equals eight eighths or four quarters.
Walk up to any licensed New York dispensary and the flower menu is built on a short list of weights. A gram is the entry point, and from there the units stack in a predictable pattern. Once you know the ounce holds 28 grams, the rest of the math falls into place.
Here is the part that trips people up: an eighth, a quarter, and a half all refer to fractions of an ounce, not fractions of a gram. An eighth is one-eighth of an ounce, a quarter is one-quarter of an ounce, and so on. The slang dropped the words 'of an ounce' a long time ago.
At Rezidue on 723 11th Ave, our budtenders quote weights in grams and the equivalent slang together, so you always know exactly what you are getting before you decide.
- 1 gram = 1g, the smallest standard unit
- Eighth = 3.5g, the most common flower purchase
- Quarter = 7g, two eighths
- Half = 14g, four eighths or two quarters
- Ounce = 28g, eight eighths
How many grams are in an eighth, quarter, half, and ounce?
An eighth is 3.5 grams, a quarter is 7 grams, a half is 14 grams, and an ounce is 28 grams. These are the four fraction-of-an-ounce units you will see most often on a New York dispensary flower menu, alongside the single gram.
The eighth (3.5g) is the workhorse of cannabis retail. It is enough flower to roll several joints or pack a number of bowls, which is why first-time and regular shoppers gravitate to it. If you want the full breakdown of that unit, see our guide on how much is an eighth.
A quarter (7g) is simply two eighths, and a half (14g) is two quarters. An ounce (28g) is the top of the standard flower ladder and the largest single flower weight most people buy at once.
One small rounding note: an ounce is technically 28.35 grams, but the cannabis industry rounds to 28g, and an eighth rounds from 3.5437g to a clean 3.5g. Your menu and your scale will both use the rounded figures.
Quick conversion cheat sheet
1 gram = 1g
1 eighth = 3.5g = 1/8 ounce
1 quarter = 7g = 1/4 ounce = 2 eighths
1 half = 14g = 1/2 ounce = 4 eighths
1 ounce = 28g = 8 eighths
Why is an eighth 3.5 grams instead of a round number?
An eighth is 3.5 grams because it is one-eighth of an ounce, and an ounce equals about 28.35 grams. The industry rounds 28.35 down to 28, which makes each eighth a clean 3.5 grams. The slang descends from imperial ounce measurement, not the metric system.
Cannabis weights are a hybrid of two systems. The ounce comes from the imperial system, while the gram comes from metric. When you divide a 28-gram ounce into eight equal parts, you get 3.5 grams each, which is where the eighth gets its odd-looking number.
This is also why you sometimes hear an eighth called 'a slice' or by other shorthand. The weight stays the same regardless of the nickname. What matters on a label is the gram figure, since that is what New York's testing and packaging rules track.
Knowing the why behind 3.5g helps you spot a fair deal and read a menu fast. If a listing says 3.5g, that is a full eighth. If it says 3.0g, it is short, and a licensed shop should price it accordingly.
How do measurements work for edibles, vapes, and concentrates?
Edibles and tinctures are measured in milligrams of THC, not grams of plant. Vape carts and concentrates are measured in grams of extract, commonly 0.3g, 0.5g, and 1g. Always read the milligram or gram figure on the label rather than relying on slang.
Flower slang does not carry over cleanly to other product types. Edibles and gummies list a milligram (mg) THC amount per piece and per package, so a gummy might read 5mg or 10mg THC. A package total tells you how many servings are inside.
Vape cartridges and disposables are sized in grams of oil, with 0.5g and 1g being the most common. Concentrates like live resin, rosin, and distillate are also sold by the gram, often in 0.5g or 1g jars. For a deeper look, see how to read a COA and our strains education hub.
The throughline across every category is the label. New York requires lab-tested products to display cannabinoid content, so the mg or gram figure on the package is your source of truth, not the nickname on the menu.
Units by product type
Flower and pre-rolls: grams (1g, 3.5g eighth, and up)
Edibles, gummies, tinctures: milligrams (mg) of THC per piece and per package
Vapes and carts: grams of oil (commonly 0.3g, 0.5g, 1g)
Concentrates: grams of extract (commonly 0.5g, 1g)
How much weed can I legally buy in New York?
In New York, adults 21 and older can purchase up to 3 ounces of cannabis flower or up to 24 grams of concentrate per day at a licensed dispensary. Three ounces equals 84 grams, or 24 eighths. You must show a valid government-issued photo ID.
New York's adult-use rules, set by the Office of Cannabis Management under the 2021 MRTA, cap your daily flower purchase at 3 ounces. Translated into the units above, that is 84 grams, or 24 eighths, or three full ounces in a single day.
For concentrates, the daily limit is 24 grams. The same 3-ounce flower and 24-gram concentrate figures double as the public possession limit, so the measurement you buy is also the amount you can legally carry. Home storage is allowed up to 5 pounds.
Every purchase at a licensed shop requires a valid photo ID proving you are 21 or older. For the full rundown of buying legally in the city, browse Cannabis 101 and our menu at the shop.
How do I pick the right amount as a beginner?
Most first-time buyers start with a single gram or one eighth (3.5g) of flower. A gram lets you sample a strain without committing, while an eighth is the better value if you already know you like the category. Buy smaller, then scale up.
There is no prize for buying big on day one. A single gram is the lowest-commitment way to try a new strain or terpene profile, and it keeps your spend low while you learn what you actually enjoy. Many shoppers buy a gram each of two strains to compare.
Once you know your preference, an eighth (3.5g) usually offers better value per gram than buying singles. Flower also degrades over time, so only buy what you will use within a reasonable window. Our how to store cannabis guide covers keeping flower fresh.
If you are shopping at Rezidue in Hell's Kitchen, a short walk from Times Square and Hudson Yards or a stop on the A, C, or E at 42nd Street, just tell the budtender your experience level and they will steer you to the right weight.
New York daily purchase limits (NY OCM)
The New York Office of Cannabis Management, established under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) signed in 2021, sets the legal weights for adult-use purchases. Adults 21 and older may buy up to 3 ounces of cannabis flower or up to 24 grams of concentrate per day at a licensed dispensary. Converted to gram measurements, 3 ounces equals 84 grams, the same as 24 eighths. These figures also serve as the public possession limit, meaning the amount you can buy in a day matches the amount you may legally carry in public. Home storage is permitted up to 5 pounds. A valid government-issued photo ID confirming you are at least 21 is required for every transaction. Only OCM-licensed retailers, listed at cannabis.ny.gov, may legally sell cannabis in New York State.
Why an ounce rounds to 28 grams
Cannabis weights blend two measurement systems: the imperial ounce and the metric gram. One avoirdupois ounce equals approximately 28.35 grams, a value standardized internationally and reflected in everyday commerce. The cannabis retail industry rounds this to a clean 28 grams per ounce, which is why an eighth of an ounce is listed as 3.5 grams rather than its precise 3.5437 grams. This rounding convention is consistent across licensed dispensaries and is what you will see on a New York product label and on the dispensary scale. Understanding the underlying conversion helps shoppers verify they are receiving a full unit: a complete eighth reads 3.5g, a quarter reads 7g, a half reads 14g, and an ounce reads 28g. New York's packaging and testing rules require cannabinoid content and net weight to be disclosed, so the gram figure on the label is the authoritative measure.
NIST / standard avoirdupois ounce-to-gram conversion
How cannabinoid content is measured and labeled
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, describes THC as the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, with CBD as a non-intoxicating cannabinoid. For flower, potency is expressed as a percentage of THC or THCA by dry weight, while edibles and tinctures are dosed in milligrams (mg) of THC per serving and per package. This is why measurement units differ by product: flower uses grams of plant material, edibles use milligrams of cannabinoid, and concentrates use grams of extract. NIDA notes that cannabis potency has risen over recent decades, which makes reading the labeled figure important for any consumer. Effects vary by individual and are commonly reported rather than guaranteed. New York requires lab-tested products from licensed sources to display this cannabinoid information, so consumers can compare products on a consistent, verifiable basis.
Licensed-only retail and product testing in New York
Under New York's MRTA framework, only dispensaries licensed by the Office of Cannabis Management may legally sell adult-use cannabis, and the OCM maintains the official list of licensed retailers at cannabis.ny.gov. Products sold through licensed channels must be lab-tested and labeled with required information, including net weight for flower and cannabinoid content for all categories. This regulatory structure is what makes measurement reliable: an eighth from a licensed shop is verified at 3.5 grams, and a gummy labeled 10mg has been tested to reflect that figure. Unlicensed sellers operate outside this system and are not bound by testing or accurate-labeling requirements, so weights and potency claims from them cannot be trusted. Shoppers can confirm a dispensary's status by checking its OCM license number, which licensed New York retailers such as Rezidue display, against the public registry.
FDA status of cannabis and consumer labeling
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved cannabis or raw THC as a safe and effective treatment for any medical condition, though it has approved a small number of specific cannabinoid-based prescription drugs. For adult-use products bought at a dispensary, this means weights and milligram figures are retail and consumer-information measurements, not medical dosages. The practical takeaway for measurement is to rely on the labeled gram or milligram amount and to treat reported effects as commonly described experiences rather than promised outcomes. Because product potency can vary and individual responses differ, starting with a smaller measurement, such as a single gram of flower or a low-milligram edible serving, lets a consumer gauge a product before buying or consuming more. Always consume responsibly and keep all products away from anyone under 21.
How many grams are in an eighth of weed?
An eighth of weed is 3.5 grams. It is one-eighth of an ounce, and since an ounce is rounded to 28 grams in the cannabis industry, dividing by eight gives 3.5 grams. An eighth is the most common flower purchase at a dispensary.
How many grams are in an ounce of weed?
An ounce of weed is 28 grams. The cannabis industry rounds the true imperial ounce of about 28.35 grams down to a clean 28 grams. An ounce equals eight eighths, four quarters, or two halves of flower.
What is a quarter of weed in grams?
A quarter of weed is 7 grams. It is one-quarter of an ounce and equals two eighths. A quarter sits between an eighth (3.5g) and a half (14g) on a standard dispensary flower menu.
How much weed can I buy at once in New York?
Adults 21 and older can buy up to 3 ounces of cannabis flower or up to 24 grams of concentrate per day at a licensed New York dispensary, per the Office of Cannabis Management. Three ounces equals 84 grams, or 24 eighths. A valid photo ID is required.
How are edibles measured compared to flower?
Edibles are measured in milligrams (mg) of THC per piece and per package, while flower is measured in grams of plant material. A gummy might read 5mg or 10mg THC, whereas flower is sold as a gram, an eighth (3.5g), and up. Always read the label figure.
How much is a gram of weed?
A gram is the smallest standard weed measurement and equals 1g. It is the lowest-commitment amount and a good way to sample a new strain. There are 28 grams in an ounce and 3.5 grams in an eighth.
What weight should a first-time buyer get?
Most first-time buyers start with a single gram or one eighth (3.5g) of flower. A gram lets you try a strain without committing much, while an eighth offers better value once you know you like the category. Tell your budtender your experience level for guidance.
Is an ounce really exactly 28 grams?
An ounce is technically about 28.35 grams, but the cannabis industry rounds it to 28 grams. That rounding is why an eighth is listed as 3.5 grams rather than its precise 3.5437 grams. Your menu and the dispensary scale both use the rounded figures.
21+NY OCM Adult-Use Retail License OCM-CAURD-25-000303· Please consume responsibly.· Educational information only, not medical advice.