How Much is an Eighth of Cannabis & What Can You Do With It?

July 23, 2024

You walk up to the counter at your dispensary, with your choice of marijuana strain in mind, and the inevitable “How much would you like?” question comes from your budtender. If you don’t understand marijuana measurements, this could send you into a tailspin. That’s why we’re here to help. One term you'll inevitably encounter when buying cannabis flower is an "eighth." In this guide, we'll demystify what exactly constitutes an eighth of cannabis, explore what it looks like, discuss its cost, and delve into the various ways you can make the most of this quantity.


What is an Eighth?

Cannabis measurement involves a blend of ounces and grams, adding an extra layer of complexity. To simplify, an ounce equates to 28 grams. An eighth, often referred to as a "slice," is one-eighth of an ounce, amounting to 3.5 grams of marijuana.1 For many cannabis enthusiasts, this measurement strikes a balance—offering enough for multiple sessions without overwhelming quantity. This is especially helpful when trying new strains.


What Does an Eighth of Cannabis Look Like?

The appearance of an eighth can vary significantly.1 Let’s say you’re a fan of big, fat marijuana buds straight from the top shelf of your dispensary. If that’s the case, a couple of those buds could add up to an eighth quickly. Strains with smaller, compact buds could require a larger collection of those petite buds to hit 3.5 grams. For visual reference, if you’re a fan of blueberries, two normal-sized blueberries add up to three grams.2


How Much Does an Eighth of Flower Cost?

An eighth’s cost fluctuates based on a few things, including the strain and your state’s tax requirements. If you’re looking to purchase an eighth, you could spend anywhere from $25 to $50, in general, though depending on your market, it could be more.3


What Can You Do With an Eighth of Flower?

You might think 3.5 grams worth of flower just isn’t enough, but if you’re not a heavy consumer, or you want to try new beginner strains, an eighth can be the perfect amount. Here’s what you can do with an eighth of flower:


Roll 3 - 5 Joints

An eighth of cannabis provides enough plant material to roll approximately three-to-five standard-sized joints. That’s enough to get some cannabis enthusiasts through an average workweek. Just remember to store flower properly to ensure you don’t waste your freshly-rolled bud.

Cannabis joint on a white background


Pack 6 Bowls

Depending on how big your bowl is and how often you smoke, you could pack enough bowls for a week, or you could polish off your eighth in a couple of days. In general, you’re probably going to get about six bowls out of a slice.

Pink glass one-hitter with a small amount of cannabis in the bowl

Roll 2 - 3 Blunts

Most blunts are rolled with a gram of marijuana flower, so you’re only getting three, decent-sized blunts with an eighth. If you prefer skinnier blunts, you could get more.

Cannabis blunt in light brown paper on a white background

How Long Will an Eighth Last?

Think of an eighth as the perfect amount to buy to try a strain for the first time. It could give you enough sessions to make it through the weekend, or it could last you through the whole week. In general, how long an eighth lasts is going to be entirely dependent on you as a consumer.4 Heavy smokers are going to get a couple of days while light smokers could get more than a week. 


How Does an Eighth Compare to Other Marijuana Measurements?

An eighth isn’t the only marijuana measurement worth knowing. It’s also good to know what a quarter and ounce are. Here’s how an eighth measures up with other common quantities:

How Many Grams Are in an Eighth?

An eighth of marijuana equals approximately 3.5 grams, roughly the weight of a quarter of a teaspoon of sugar. 


How Many Ounces Are in an Eighth?

An eighth is one-eighth of an ounce, and there are eight eighths in an ounce. An ounce is equivalent to 28 grams.5


How Many Eighths Are in a Quarter?

A quarter of marijuana comprises two eighths with each eighth weighing around 3.5 grams.5


Answering FAQs About an Eighth of Cannabis

Navigating through cannabis measurements can be confusing, but asking questions is a great way to become more knowledgeable. Here are answers to a few common questions:


Is an eighth the same as 3.5 grams?
Yes, an eighth is precisely 3.5 grams.


What is a five-gram eighth?
If you see a five-gram eighth sale at your local dispensary, head on over. A five-gram is a sale where you get 1.5 additional grams of marijuana for free with your eighth.


Is an eighth the same as a slice?
Yes, an eighth is colloquially referred to as a "slice," emphasizing its one-eighth portion of an ounce. 


Buying an Eighth of Flower

Whether you're exploring beginner strains or more potent options, purchasing an eighth of flower provides a decent amount of flower to try for the first time or enjoy over a weekend. With an eighth, you can roll joints and blunts, and pack bowls, ensuring you can indulge the way you prefer. Of course, if you’re a smart dispensary shopper, keep your eye out for any five-gram deals to get a little extra for your dollar.

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Use of Marijuana Concentrate may lead to: Psychotic symptoms and/or Psychotic disorder (delusions, hallucinations, or difficulty distinguishing reality); Mental Health Symptoms/Problems; Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) (uncontrolled and repetitive vomiting); Cannabis use disorder/dependence, including physical and psychological dependence.   Please consume responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product.  State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and medical marijuana patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations. 


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