What is an eighth of weed?

If you’re new to buying cannabis, the term “eighth” can sound like code from a secret club. But it’s actually just a common way we measure and sell weed—especially in the United States and countries with imperial measurement roots. As a long-time cannabis grower and breeder, I can tell you that knowing what an eighth is, what it looks like, what it costs, and how long it lasts is one of the first steps in becoming a savvy cannabis consumer. In this article, I’ll walk you through everything I teach my new clients and team members—so you’re not just buying weed, you’re understanding it.

Understanding the measurement and weight

Definition of an eighth (1/8 of an ounce ≈ 3.5 grams)

An eighth of weed is exactly what it sounds like: one-eighth of an ounce of cannabis flower. In weight, that’s roughly 3.5 grams. When you’re at a dispensary or chatting with a plug, asking for “an eighth” is one of the most common purchases—big enough for multiple sessions but small enough to keep things fresh.

In countries that use the metric system, it can seem odd, but 1/8 of an ounce has stuck around in cannabis culture for decades. It’s a standard measurement in both recreational and medical markets. This makes it the go-to size if you want to try out a new strain without committing to a large stash.

Metric vs imperial: why 3.5 g matters in international cannabis measurement

In imperial markets like the US or UK, you’ll hear people measure weed in ounces, eighths, quarters, and so on. In Europe or Canada, grams rule the game. But no matter where you are, 3.5 grams is a universal sweet spot.

When I work with international breeders or seed banks, we all understand that 3.5 g is the industry benchmark for retail purchases. It bridges the gap between systems. Even digital scales in dispensaries default to metric grams, so your eighth will always weigh in at about 3.5 g.

Slang and common terms for an eighth (e.g., “slice”, “8th”)

The cannabis world is rich with slang, and an eighth has its share. You might hear:

• Slice – like a slice of pie, just a piece of the whole ounce
• 8-ball – though sometimes confused with other substances, this term pops up for 1/8 ounce of anything
• Eighth or 8th – the standard term, short and clear
• Half-quarter – occasionally used, though less popular

I stick to “eighth” when teaching or selling—it keeps things consistent, especially for beginners.

Visual appearance and density variation

What an eighth typically looks like in different bud types (dense vs fluffy)

What 3.5 grams looks like can vary wildly. That’s because different strains produce buds with very different densities.

• Dense buds (like indica-dominant strains) are tight, chunky, and feel heavy in the hand. An eighth of this kind might only be 2-3 solid nuggets.
• Fluffy buds (often sativa-leaning or outdoor grown) are lighter and airier, so your eighth could fill up the whole palm and still weigh the same.

This is one of the reasons new buyers sometimes feel like they’ve been shorted. I always show the weight on a digital scale in front of the customer to build trust—and to educate.

Real-world comparisons (golf ball, kiwi, handful)

You don’t always have a scale handy, so visual cues help. Here’s how I describe it:

• A dense eighth = about the size of a golf ball
• A fluffy eighth = about the size of a kiwi
• Either way, in the jar, an eighth can look like one handful or a few well-trimmed buds

Still, looks can be deceiving. That’s why scales don’t lie—but visualizing it helps when you’re rolling up on the fly.

Indoor/outdoor and strain-based appearance differences

Indoor-grown buds tend to be denser and more resinous, which means they take up less space per gram. Outdoor or greenhouse-grown weed, depending on the genetics, often grows looser.

Also, different genetics express different bud structures:

• OG Kush types are usually compact and heavy
• Haze or Skunk strains are lanky and lighter
• Exotic strains might have larger calyxes or looser formations

As a grower, I know that a beautiful eighth of Zkittlez won’t look the same as an eighth of Critical Mass—and that’s perfectly normal.

Cost and regional pricing variations

Average price range in legal markets ($25–70) with geographic examples

The price of an eighth can vary dramatically depending on where you live. Here’s what I’ve seen across legal markets:

• California: $30–$60 for top-shelf
• Colorado: $20–$45 depending on brand and quality
• Canada: CA$25–CA$50 retail
• UK black market: £25–£40 per eighth

The average sits around $35–$50, but branded or boutique buds can push beyond $70 if it’s rare or heavily hyped.

Price-per-gram analysis and bulk discounts

When buying an eighth, the price-per-gram usually goes down compared to buying a single gram. It looks something like this:

• 1 gram = $10–15
• 3.5 grams (eighth) = $35–$50
• 7 grams (quarter) = $60–$80
• 28 grams (ounce) = $150–$280

So if you’re using regularly, stepping up to an eighth saves money. When I ran dispensary consultations, I’d advise new patients to start with an eighth to balance price and freshness.

Factors affecting cost: strain quality, taxes, illicit vs legal sources

Three big things influence the cost:

1. Strain quality and popularity – Rare or high-THC strains command more
2. Taxes and regulation – Some states add 30%+ in tax
3. Source – Legal dispensaries are cleaner and safer, but street prices can be lower

Also, cured weed tends to be priced higher because the grower spent more time drying and aging it properly—which absolutely matters for taste and smoothness.

Consumption potential: joints, bowls, and edibles

How many joints or bowls can be made from an eighth

This depends on how fat you like to roll. On average:

• 0.5g joint = 7 joints from an eighth
• 0.3g bowl = 11 to 12 bowl packs
• 1g blunt = 3 heavy blunts

I’ve seen light smokers stretch an eighth for two weeks, while heavy users might burn through it in a couple of days.

Using an eighth for homemade cannabutter, tinctures, or edibles

Yes—you can use an eighth to make edibles. Here’s what you’ll get:

• Cannabutter: 3.5g infused into ½ stick (¼ cup) of butter = about 600–800mg total THC (depending on strain)
• Tincture: A basic ethanol infusion can yield 500mg–700mg per eighth
• Edibles: You could make 15–20 small-dose (25–30mg) cookies or gummies

I always recommend decarboxylating your weed (heat it in the oven at 240°F for 40 minutes) before infusing—it activates the THC.

Comparing use cases: social sessions vs personal stash

An eighth is a great choice if:

• You want to try a strain over several days
• You plan to roll for a small get-together
• You’re microdosing through a dry herb vape

It’s not ideal for bulk use like mega edible batches or long-term stash building—but it’s perfect for casual, rotating sessions.

Storage, longevity, and usage duration

Best storage practices for freshness (airtight, dark, cool)

If you want your eighth to stay fresh, store it like this:

• Use airtight glass jars (Mason jars or UV glass work great)
• Keep it in a cool, dark place—no direct light or heat
• Add a humidity pack (like Boveda 62%) if possible

Never store it in plastic baggies long-term—plastic sucks out trichomes and lets air in.

Shelf life: potency and flavour retention timeline

Properly stored, an eighth can stay potent and tasty for up to 6 months.

• After 1 month, terpene loss begins
• After 3 months, the aroma and flavour begin to fade
• After 6 months, THC starts to degrade into CBN, creating a more sedative effect

I personally rotate my stash every 4–6 weeks to keep flavours fresh and effects on point.

Estimating how long an eighth lasts based on user habits

How long your eighth lasts depends entirely on how often—and how much—you consume. Here’s a rough guide:

• Occasional user (1–2 times/week) = 2–3 weeks
• Moderate user (1 joint/day) = 1 week
• Heavy user (multiple joints/day) = 2–3 days

Vaporizing conserves flower better than smoking, so you might stretch it out longer that way.

Conclusion

An eighth of weed might sound like a mysterious measurement at first, but once you understand it, it becomes the foundation of smart cannabis buying. At 3.5 grams, it’s the perfect entry point—giving you enough to get familiar with a strain, try it in a few different forms, and decide if it’s worth stocking up on. Whether you’re smoking, vaping, baking, or just storing it for later, knowing how much an eighth is—and what you can do with it—sets you up for a smoother, smarter cannabis journey. Keep your stash fresh, use your scale, and always ask questions. That’s how I do it—and now, so can you.