Differences in weed laws mean that things will vary as you move from one weed-legal state to another. But one thing is consistent: weed measurement is the same in all the states. Wondering how much does an ounce of weed cost? A visit to a dispensary will show that weed is consistently measured in eighths, grams, and ounces.
How Much is an Oz of Weed?
When trying to find how much does an ounce of weed cost, you would discover that it is actually quite pricey in some states, and if you’ve ever had a double take at the price of an ounce in your local dispensary, you probably would want to know what your pals are paying for one ounce of weed in other states.
But before we get into all that, you should know the different qualities of weed and what different weed measurements mean.
| Weed Measurement | Grams | Ounce Equivalent | Average Cost |
| One gram of Weed | 1 | – | $15 |
| Eighth of Weed | 3.5 | 1/8th of an ounce | $40 |
| Quarter of Weed | 7 | 1/4th of an ounce or 2 eighths | $70 |
| Ounce of Weed | 28 | 4 quarters or 8 eighths | $300 |
| Pound of Weed | 448 | 16oz | $1500 |
How Much is A Gram of Weed?
One gram of weed is the smallest measurement available in most dispensaries if not all.
Average cost: $15
How Much is An Eighth of Weed?
3.5 grams of weed is equivalent to an eighth of weed, which is the most common measurement that casual weed consumers buy. An eighth is a synonym for one-eighth of an ounce of weed. That is, one part after 1 ounce of weed has been divided into eight parts – 1/8th.
Average Cost: $40
How Much is a Quarter of Weed?
Two eighths, that is, 7 grams of weed, is referred to as a quarter (or sometimes a “quad,” depending on where you’re at).
Average Cost: $300
How Much is One Oz of Weed?
Four quarters, 28 grams, or eight one-eighths equals one ounce of weed.
Although no state allows medical or recreational users to possess up to one pound of weed, it is not unusual to hear of it. One pound of weed is equivalent to 16 ounces of weed or approximately 453 grams of weed.
At 8 ounces, California has the highest possession limit for medical marijuana; Missouri follows closely with 6 ounces.
Average Cost: $1500
Cost of One Ounce of Weed in the U.S.
The national average for an ounce of medium-quality weed in the U.S. is $256.08, while the national average for an ounce of high-quality weed is $318.72, indicating a $62.64 difference between the two qualities.
Dispensary Prices Vs Street Prices
While street prices for cannabis might seem appealing for your budget, the advantages of buying from a dispensary significantly surpass any cost benefits.
Dispensaries offer a regulated, transparent setting where you can get comprehensive details about the strain, THC content, and the source of your cannabis, ensuring a superior product.
More crucially, choosing dispensary purchases over street transactions enhances legal compliance and personal safety, reducing the risks tied to unregulated markets.
For those aiming for the safest and most reliable cannabis access, getting a medical card is a smart move. It not only widens your options to a range of high-quality, medicinal-grade cannabis but also keeps you within the boundaries of legality, offering both peace of mind and health advantages.
5 States with the Highest Price Per Oz of High-Quality Weed
At $590.27 per ounce, Washington DC takes the trophy for the most expensive weed in the U.S., followed by North Dakota at $382.17
The three states that follow closely behind include:
- Virginia, at an average price of $362.88 per 1 ounce of weed
- West Virginia, at $361.13
- Pennsylvania, at $355.47
5 States with the Highest Price Per Oz of Mid-Quality Weed
Unsurprisingly, the District of Columbia also holds the record for the state with the highest price per ounce of mid-quality weed in the U.S. An ounce of medium-quality weed costs $494.65 in D.C. while South Dakota tags along with $335.26
The three states that follow closely behind include:
- Minnesota, at an average price of $330.52
- Illinois, at $296.32
- Maryland, at $283,26
5 States with the Lowest Price Per Ounce of High-Quality Weed
At an average price of $210.19 per ounce of high-quality weed, Oregon holds the record for the cheapest high-quality weed in the U.S., followed by Washington at $233.93.
The three states that follow closely behind include:
- Colorado, at an average price of $247.49
- California, at $258.88
- Montana, at $266.13
5 States with the Lowest Price Per Ounce of Medium Quality Weed
Mississippi has the cheapest medium-quality weed in the U.S. You can get an oz of weed of mid-range quality for as low as $172.11; Oregon follows at $186.78, marking approximately a $14 difference.
The three states that follow closely behind include:
- Washington, at an average price of $197.69
- Colorado, at $200.16
- California, at $209.08
Note: All the stated prices are state averages. The price of 1 ounce of weed in some cities could be significantly different from the state average. For instance, while the average price in Mississippi is $172.11, the average price in Columbus, Mississippi, is $142.53 – that’s $30 cheaper.
Difference Between High-Quality and Mid-Quality Weed
The different qualities of weed on offer are one of the first things you might notice when you check for the price of an ounce of weed. Usually, the budtender presents you with two types of weeds: high-quality and mid-quality.
High-Quality Weed
High-quality weed, also known as artisanal, craft, piff, top-shelf, dank, chronic, or fire weed, refers to weed that’s been cultivated with quality over quantity in mind. Dank usually have very strong odor, pronounced trichomes, and very rich terpene and cannabinoid profiles.
Craft growers often use living soil, compost teas, 100% organic nutrients, and zero chemicals when growing this.
When mature, the plants are usually carefully hand-trimmed to ensure that the terpene-concentrated trichomes are retained in the bud.
The result is deeply hued, leafy, and complexly aromatic weed that’s rich in flavor, cannabinoids, and terpenes — everything that makes weed hit right.
Mid-Quality Weed
Mid-quality weed, also known as mids, regular weed, or regs, is the most common type of weed you’ll find across the U.S. They are usually mass-produced to meet commercial demands.
And that usually means that they are treated with chemicals (think pesticides), machine-trimmed, and sometimes a bit moldy, too wet, or too dry.
Unlike high-quality weed that often appear leafy, mid buds are usually rounded due to machine trimming and may lack leaves. The cannabinoid and terpene profiles of mids are average at best and not as rich as that of craft weed.
Low–Quality Weed
Low-quality weed, also known as schwag, brick, dirt, bottom shelf, or ditch weed, is simply meh. They’re brownish, dry, have lots of seeds and stems, and lack trichomes.
They usually look compacted because they are compressed before being transported. Nothing about low-quality weed spells proper care or hygiene.
When Will Dispensary Prices Go Down?
In the past years, there has been a steady decline in the price of weed, paving the way for the possibility of the cheapest weed becoming even more accessible with the prospect of friendlier laws across states and potentially at the federal level.
In the early 2010s, the average price of an ounce of high-quality weed across all states was upwards of $350. Today, the national average is $318.72.
As tax laws become less imposing and the market becomes more competitive, the price of one ounce of weed would fall further. We’re already seeing this happen in some states, such as Oregon, where the price of weed hit an all-time low of $4 per gram earlier in the year.
With Biden’s administration considering reviewing the federal cannabis laws, speculations abound that the average price of an oz of weed could be well below the current average. But until federal cannabis legalization happens, all pointers are speculative.
Stay Up-To-Date on Everything Cannabis With Elevate Holistics
At Elevate Holistics, we’re dedicated to ensuring that MMJ patients make informed decisions, including understanding how much is an ounce of weed, as they navigate the cannabis market. With that in mind, we’re always happy to answer all your cannabis-related questions.
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