What Is an Eighth? Cannabis Term Explained

If there’s one cannabis measurement that almost everyone hears early on, it’s the eighth. Even people who aren’t regular consumers know the term. Someone will say, “I just bought an eighth,” and it’s treated like the standard purchase size. And honestly? That’s because it is. An eighth is one of the most common cannabis weights in dispensaries, online menus, and everyday cannabis conversations.

For beginners, though, “eighth” can sound weird. An eighth of what? A pound? A bag? A jar? The truth is, it’s an eighth of an ounce, and once you understand that, the entire cannabis measurement system becomes easier to learn.

An eighth is the classic “starter” amount of cannabis flower. It’s enough to enjoy over multiple sessions, but not so much that you feel like you’re committing to a strain you might not love. It’s also usually priced in a way that makes it approachable for people who want to explore different strains without spending too much at once.

To Buy Cannabis Flower Click Here

What Does “Eighth” Mean in Cannabis?

In cannabis, an eighth means one-eighth of an ounce. Since one ounce equals 28 grams, one-eighth of an ounce equals 3.5 grams. That’s why dispensaries often label an eighth as “3.5g.”

This measurement almost always refers to cannabis flower, meaning dried buds. It’s one of the most standard flower weights, along with grams, quarters, half-ounces, and ounces.

An eighth is widely recognized because it has been a common purchase size for decades, even before legalization. It became the go-to amount for personal use because it feels like a solid stash without being too expensive.

Why an Eighth Is So Common

The eighth is popular because it hits the perfect balance between price and quantity. A gram can be gone quickly, especially if you smoke joints. A quarter or half-ounce might feel like too much if you’re trying something new. An eighth gives you enough cannabis to get familiar with a strain while still keeping your spending manageable.

Dispensaries also love selling eighths because they’re easy to package, easy to price, and easy for customers to understand. Many dispensaries even design their menus around eighth pricing. You’ll often see deals like “$25 eighths” or “Buy two eighths, get one for $1,” because it’s such a familiar unit.

How Much Cannabis Is in an Eighth?

An eighth is 3.5 grams, but visually it can vary a lot depending on bud density. Some eighths are made up of one or two large nugs. Others are several smaller pieces. Dense strains can look smaller in volume, while fluffy strains can look like more bud, even though the weight is the same.

Most of the time, an eighth fits comfortably in a small jar or a standard dispensary container. It’s the kind of amount you can keep in your pocket or bag easily, and it’s small enough that it doesn’t require long-term storage strategies like bigger stash sizes do.

How Many Joints Are in an Eighth?

How many joints you can roll from an eighth depends on your style. If you roll small joints with about 0.5 grams, you can make around 7 joints from an eighth. If you roll standard joints closer to 0.75 grams, you’ll get about 4 joints. If you roll 1-gram joints, you’ll get about 3 joints, with a little leftover.

This is one of the reasons an eighth is so popular. It gives you multiple sessions without feeling like you bought too much. For many casual consumers, an eighth is the perfect weekend supply.

How Many Bowls Are in an Eighth?

If you smoke bowls, you’ll typically use around 0.2 grams to 0.3 grams per bowl. At 0.2 grams per bowl, an eighth gives you about 17 bowls. At 0.3 grams per bowl, it’s closer to 11 bowls.

That’s a solid number of sessions for most people. If you smoke a bowl or two per day, an eighth might last about a week. If you smoke only occasionally, it could last much longer.

How Long Does an Eighth Last?

An eighth can last anywhere from a couple days to a couple weeks depending on the person. For a heavy smoker, an eighth might be gone in two or three days. For a moderate consumer, it might last five to seven days. For a casual user, an eighth can last two weeks or longer.

The beauty of an eighth is that it’s flexible. It’s enough to enjoy without feeling wasteful, and it’s small enough that you can easily switch strains frequently.

What Does an Eighth Cost?

Eighth prices vary a lot based on state, dispensary, and flower quality. In many markets, eighths range from $15 to $60. Budget eighths might be $15–$25, especially during sales. Mid-tier eighths often sit around $30–$45. Premium eighths can hit $50–$60 or more.

Taxes also matter. In legal states, taxes can add a significant amount to the final price, so it’s common for customers to look for deals specifically on eighths.

Even though eighths are popular, they’re often the most expensive way to buy cannabis per gram. That’s why many people start with eighths and then move up to quarters, half-ounces, or ounces once they find strains they really like.

Eighth vs Quarter: What’s the Difference?

A quarter is 7 grams, and an eighth is 3.5 grams. That means a quarter is exactly double an eighth. If you like a strain and want more of it, the quarter is often the next step up. It typically offers a better price per gram and lasts longer.

An eighth is great for sampling. A quarter is better if you already know you enjoy the strain and want to stock up without going into half-ounce territory.

Is It Legal to Buy an Eighth?

In legal states, yes. An eighth is far below the typical possession limit. In fact, an eighth is considered one of the most common legal purchases because it’s small, manageable, and clearly personal-use.

That said, legality always depends on local laws. Even in legal states, rules can vary around transport, packaging, and where you can consume. But in terms of possession weight, an eighth is generally a safe and standard amount.

Why an Eighth Is Great for Beginners

For newer consumers, an eighth is one of the best amounts to buy because it gives you enough to experiment. You can try smoking a small bowl one day, rolling a joint another day, or using a vaporizer if you have one. You can also test how the strain makes you feel across different settings and moods.

It also helps prevent over-buying. If you’re new to cannabis, you may not know what strains you like yet. Buying an ounce too early can leave you stuck with 28 grams of something that doesn’t match your vibe. An eighth keeps things low-risk.

How to Store an Eighth

Storage for an eighth is pretty easy. Because you’ll likely use it within a week or two, you don’t need anything fancy. Keeping it in its original dispensary container is usually fine, but if you want to preserve flavor and freshness, a small glass jar is even better.

Avoid leaving it in a hot car or in direct sunlight, because heat can dry out the buds and degrade cannabinoids and terpenes.

Final Thoughts: Why the Eighth Matters

The eighth is one of the most iconic cannabis measurements, and for good reason. It’s the perfect entry-level purchase, it’s easy to understand once you know it equals 3.5 grams, and it gives you enough flower to enjoy across multiple sessions. Whether you’re trying a new strain, shopping on a budget, or just picking up a weekend stash, the eighth is a staple in cannabis culture.

Once you understand what an eighth is, you’ll feel more confident reading menus, comparing prices, and choosing the right amount for your lifestyle. It’s one of the first cannabis terms people learn—and one of the most useful.

To Buy Cannabis Flower Click Here