Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) states that the third most commonly used drug in the United States is Marijuana, coming after alcohol and cigarettes. It didn’t use to be so. For the longest time, Marijuana was banned in the United States for medical and recreational purposes. Even when people used it, it was against the law.
Exchanges were made discreetly and in hushed tones because punishments were severe, and no one wanted to be caught with an illegal drug. Due to the illegality of the drug at that time, there wasn’t any standard or guideline to how much it was sold because it was an illegal market, and there was nowhere else to go.
Now, although the Federal laws are still stoic against the legalization of Marijuana, state laws have relaxed, and this drug is now legal for medical purposes in 29 states and legal for recreational purposes in 8. With the business growing and becoming more widespread, regulations have to be made, especially when it comes to price.
What is the standard price of cannabis in dispensaries and weed shops? How do I know I’m not paying too much for weed? In this article, we will discuss the price of weed around you and across the country, so you know how to get a good price.
How Much is an Ounce of Cannabis Measured in Weight?
Before we discuss the cost of an ounce of weed in the USA, it is important that buyers know how much they will be getting. Generally, you should know that a gram is the smallest amount of cannabis you can purchase in the United States, while an ounce is the maximum weight limit of cannabis that a buyer can get at a given time in the United States.
Knowing the measurements can help you buy the amount of weed you need for your consumption. You don’t want to leave the substance lying around because that’s the quickest way to addiction and dependency. Thankfully, in Sacramento dispensaries and some weed shops across the country, you can only purchase weed when you’re over 21 and with a medical prescription.
Below, you will find the most common cannabis measurements as found in medical dispensaries and weed shops:
- One-eighth — 3.5 grams
- 1 quarter — 7 grams
- One-half — 14 grams
- One ounce —28 grams
One gram is the smallest weight you can buy in any dispensary; it is the most accessible one, especially for new smokers. Or for experienced smokers who are looking to try a new strain.
An ounce is the maximum weight you can buy at a time. When you walk into a cannabis dispensary, you might not hear anybody asking for an ounce of weed. Instead, you’ll hear people call it a Zip. Some would argue it is called this because an ounce of weed would fill up a Ziploc bag.
How Much Does an Ounce Cost?
The average cost of one gram of medium-quality weed will be $10. Depending on your location, this price may vary slightly between $9-$15 per gram. The average price of an eighth of an ounce, about 3.5 grams, is $35. Again, depending on location and other stuff discussed below, this price might vary between $31-$52 per 3.5 grams.
The next measurement of weed after one-eighth is one-quarter, which is equal to 7 grams. The average price of this measurement is $70. This might vary across states as you go, but the range would be between the $56-$105 margin.
Half of an ounce is 14 grams, and the standard cost is around $140. Depending on certain factors, this price might vary between the $126-$210 range. Finally, the cost of an ounce of weed is about $280. From location to location, and depending on strain quality, this might vary between the range of $252-$420. An ounce of weed is equal to 28 grams.
Factors that affect the Price of Marijuana
You might be wondering why there isn’t a standard price for weed and why there seem to be some differences in the range. Since the laws governing the use of this substance are still a little grey, this has caused fluctuation in prices, amongst other things. There are so many factors that contribute to these price differences, which will be discussed below:
States
The state you live in is the biggest and most influential factor that affects your weed prices. This has nothing to do with your geographical location, but everything to do with your state’s stance on weed legalization.
We already mentioned in the article that only 29 states have legalized weed for medical purposes and recreational use. If you attempt to buy weed in any state where it is prohibited, then, of course, the prices will be higher than normal because the dealers are taking a potential risk of jail time.
Location of Purchase
Where you buy the weed also greatly affects the prices you’ll pay for it. There are regulated dispensaries and weed shops that buyers can walk into to get their weed at a cheaper rate than anywhere else.
However, these regulated shops are more reputable than some people can stand. They follow strict guidelines by making sure you’re above 21, verifying IDs, asking for medical prescriptions, and so on. Some people cannot meet these guidelines, so they prefer to buy on the street or at a party, where the prices are entirely dependent on the dealer and are higher as a result.
Weed Quality
There are different qualities of this drug ranging from high quality, to medium quality, to low quality, and of course, a high-quality strain would always be pricier than medium to low-quality strains.
Conclusion
Although it’s all still looking a little sketchy, we are approaching a form of balance in weed prices across all states in the United States. As more and more states legalize this substance for medical or recreational use, the regulations governing this market will be stricter, causing a policy uniformity that must be adhered to.
Regardless of the price, the best advice we can give is always to choose quality over quantity. If you purchase a weed measurement and the quantity is suspicious, you need to be skeptical about it. Also, remember that this is a psychoactive drug, so you would do better buying at dispensaries than on the street.
Editor-in-Chief | Seat42F, a leading source of entertainment news, information, television and movie resources.
