Weed Measurements

In the fascinating world of cannabis, properly measuring amounts of weed is essential for both recreational and medicinal users. In this post we’ll explore various techniques and tools for measuring marijuana, ranging from traditional methods to ingenious solutions when you don’t have a scale. In addition, we explain how home growers can quantify the THC content in their plants, a key component to understanding the potency and effects of their harvests.

Whether you’re new to the world of marijuana, or have been consuming for some time, you may have noticed that marijuana is usually measured using standardized systems. You’ve probably heard someone ask for a gram, an ounce, or even a pound of grass.

Understanding the systems used to measure your buds will ensure that you are not confounded when asked at a dispensary how much Super OG Kush flower you need. It will also be easier for you to buy marijuana if you understand the metric system. Otherwise, you may end up asking for a lot less or a lot more weed than you need.

How to measure weed

In the United States, measurements are based on the imperial system, not on the metric system, as is the case in other parts of the world. Cannabis, however, is measured in grams (even in the United States), a unit of measurement used in the international metric system. Therefore, it is essential to know how the imperial unit is converted from ounces to grams and from grams to joints.

In terms of marijuana measurements on the legal market, grams are the smallest size consumers will find at dispensaries. Whether sold as intact flower buds or as crushed weed, grams of flowers serve as an ideal starting point for cannabis users. And, considering that with 1 gram of cannabis you can roll two standard joints, you can use this list as a reference:

• 1 gram= 2 joints
• One eighth of an ounce  = 3.5 grams = 7 joints
• One quarter (¼) of an ounce  = 7 grams = 14 joints
• Half (½) an ounce  = 14 grams = 28 joints
• One ounce  = 28 grams = 56 joints
• One pound  = 453 grams = 906 joints

You might be wondering: if there are 16 ounces in a pound, and 28 grams in an ounce, wouldn’t that be 448 grams in a pound? This discrepancy is due to rounding. Technically, there are 28.3 grams in an ounce; the gram is a metric unit and the pound is an imperial unit of measure, so they are not always clearly divided and multiplied.

How to measure weed without a scale

Whether you’re looking to get a gram to try a new strain, or invest in a full ounce of your favorite cannabis strain, you’ll want to make sure you get what you pay for. And the only way to be sure that your cannabis is just the right weight is to use a scale. For accurate measurements, especially in contexts where exact dosing is crucial, such as in medicinal use, use of a digital scale with a resolution of 0.01 grams is recommended.

But, if you don’t have a scale, there are several home methods you can use, although they’re not as accurate and should be used only to get rough estimates. For example:

• With a clothes hanger: This method involves turning an ordinary hanger into a makeshift scale, using a cord, two plastic cups, and an object of a known weight (such as a coin). You place the marijuana in one glass and the object of known weight in the other, and balance them.
• Mobile phone apps: While not the most accurate method, some mobile apps can estimate the weight of small objects.
• Visual comparison with fruits: for example, 1 g of marijuana is about the size of a grape; 3.5 g resembles a medium-sized kiwi; 7 g resembles a medium-large apple; 14 g resembles a large orange; and 28 g resembles a medium-sized coconut.
• A scale with a ruler and pencil: almost everyone has a ruler, a pencil and a penny, whose weight we know (3.56 g, or one eighth of an ounce) at home. Place the pencil midpoint of the ruler, creating a makeshift “seesaw.” Then, place your coin on one end of the ruler and, on the other end, start stacking your cannabis flowers until the ruler is balanced.

How to measure the THC in homegrown weed

THC is the main psychoactive component in cannabis, so it is essential to know its percentage in the weed you are consuming in order to determine what kinds of effects you will experience. Therefore, growers should test their flowers and clearly indicate the percentage of THC in the package they sell to consumers.

On these labels you’ll normally find two different types of THC: THC and THCA. THCA is the acid form of THC, and is converted to THC upon combustion (or by applying heat, for example, through a vaporizer’s heating apparatus). If both percentages of THC are printed on the label of the cannabis you buy, be sure to calculate them together to determine the actual dose of THC.

You can’t do this directly, however, as the mass of THC is 87% that of THCA, and only 75% actually converts from THCA to THC. With this in mind, here’s the equation you should use to know how much THC will be present in your puffs:

(0.75 × 0.877 × % THCA) + % THC = Total THC in the flower

Measuring the THC in homegrown cannabis can be a more complex process, but it is feasible with the right tools. Here are some methods you can consider:

• Home test kits: these kits use reagents that, when reacting with a sample of your cannabis, indicate the concentration of THC and CBD through color changes.
• Thin layer chromatography: this involves placing a cannabis sample on a chromatographic plate and the use of specific reagents to identify the approximate content of different cannabinoids, such as THC, CBD and CBN.
• Specialized meters: there are specific devices that make it possible to conduct chromatographic studies at home, including plant matter, extractions and cannabis oils. This kit works by using reagents that indicate the percentage of THC and CBD, as well as their acid states.
• Lab services: If you’re looking for a more accurate and professional option, you might consider sending a sample of your cannabis to a specialized lab. Although this option is more expensive, it provides a detailed and accurate analysis of the cannabinoids present in your sample.

THC Percentage: how much is right for you?

So, once you know how much THC is in the marijuana you’re going to smoke, how do you know how much is right for you? Keep in mind that the cannabis flower usually contains between 10 and 30% THC. Obviously, the higher the level of THC, the more potent the flower will be. Most beginner consumers start with a low level of THC: 10-15%.

However, if your weed has a higher level of THC, beginners can start with a small drag and increase the dose after gauging how the percentage personally affects them. Every cannabis plant is different, and we are all different too, so experimenting and going from less to more is always the best advice you can offer!