As cannabis legalization and destigmatization continue their spread across the United States, more and more people are enjoying the fantastic benefits cannabis has to offer.
However, cannabis culture has had decades to develop a deep lexicon that makes it hard for newcomers to make heads or tails of the measurement system.
Embarc is here to help! Today, we’ll teach you about a ‘half’ of weed: what it is, how much it is, and how much it costs. We’ll also cover some other popular units to ease you into the marijuana measurement system.
Dispensaries sell weed in a variety of units, but they all follow similar categorization. Most often, weed is weighed and measured against an ounce and devolves into smaller and smaller units.
Today, an ounce is used because it’s the legal limit in most states. But this system has been in place for years. Every measurement unit and name has decades of history behind its name.
So, when we talk about a half of weed, it’s referring to half an ounce.
But how much is that exactly?
An ounce of weed is 28.349 grams. But most dispensaries round down to 28 to make the measuring process easier.
When we halve that, it equals 14 grams. So, a half of weed is a solid 14 grams of weed.
While a half an ounce isn’t the biggest option on the market, it’s still a lot of weed. To put it in perspective, you can comfortably roll 25 to 30 joints with a half-ounce, depending on how thick you like your rolls. If you don’t smoke multiple times a day, a half ounce could even last two to three weeks.
Cannabis buds, even though you could consider them one unit, aren’t consistent enough in size and density to be a unit of measurement. One bud of marijuana could easily be denser and weigh more than another – which is why cannabis sales involve so much math.
Marijuana is measured in pounds, ounces, and grams to ensure everyone gets their money’s worth. For recreational use, you’ll see mainly gram measurements. Using a smaller unit also provides more accurate sales.
When you find yourself in a dispensary, your seller will measure the weed out in front of you. Or there will be pre-packaged marijuana with precise gram amounts labeled on the packaging.
Let’s take a look at typical prices for each medium.
Buds, which are the dried and least processed form of the marijuana flower, are the most common form of a half you’ll find on the market. You can smoke it in a joint, pipe, bong, etc.
Because a half is considered a lot of weed – two handfuls, on average – the price is higher than your usual mota or zip of weed.
The average price of a half of weed is between $90 and $200.
Hash is made from almost purely weed trichomes and is more potent than buds. Because of the extra processing and higher potency, it tends to be more expensive than buds.
However, a half of hash is a lot, and you aren’t likely to find it at your local dispensary – only smaller units.
If you purchase a half of hash, it will likely cost between $110 to $180.
To learn more about hash, read this in-depth introduction to hash.
Concentrates like resin, wax, and oil are also challenging to find in large quantities. Concentrates are very potent, and purchasing a half amount can be overkill.
However, if you want a half amount of concentrate, you’ll have to buy smaller units until you meet the 14-gram benchmark. It’ll be expensive, as the average cost of one gram of high-quality concentrate is $20 to $50.
Even if you’re buying $20 1-gram units, a half of weed concentrate will cost you $280.
As you can see, the cost for a half of weed varies greatly. Let’s look at a few reasons why the price might differ.
Today, recreational and medical marijuana costs the same, depending on the product quality and amount.
However, taxes for the two can differ significantly from state to state. Recreational marijuana, in particular, has exorbitant tax rates, ranging from 6% to 37%.
On the other hand, medical marijuana tax rates are typically lower. Some states even waive tax charges on medical marijuana. Check your state tax charges for each type to see where you stand on weed taxation fees.
As with any product, the quality of the product has a significant impact on the cost. High-quality weed production requires more attention to detail, better equipment, and higher-quality seeds and clones. This all translates into higher purchasing costs.
That said, just because a half is expensive doesn’t mean it’s good. Dispensaries like Embarc produce high-quality weed for reasonable prices.
Read reviews and check product descriptions to get a feel for the product’s quality. High-quality producers will clearly state the weed strain, THC percentages, mood effects, and all other ingredients.
The more dispensaries in the area, the more competitive the pricing is. If people have a lot of good options to choose from, they’ll go for the lower price. In cities or large towns, having many dispensaries competing for the same consumer base keeps pricing in check.
If you’re in an area with less competition, you’ll unfortunately have higher prices.
Luckily, the ability to buy online, like on Embarc, gives consumers more options to choose from outside their immediate area.
Weed legalization and its effects on weed costs are complicated.
As the black market (people without a license to sell and who don’t pay taxes) and the legal weed market compete, both sides are forced into the averages we listed above. However, red tape complicates rates in high-tax states. There, illegal weed might be cheaper, but the risks are higher.
As the legal market continues to grow, regulation improves, and production is streamlined, the legal market will likely become more and more affordable.
Even though the legalization of cannabis is relatively recent, people have been enjoying their favorite recreational drug for decades. During that time, cannabis culture had developed an extensive measurement system and lexicon.
A half of weed is half an ounce of weed which is 14 grams of weed. It’s a lot of weed and costs between $90 and $200 – depending on a few of the above factors.
If you’re ready to purchase some top-quality weed products, visit your nearest Embarc dispensary. With competitive prices and the best weed around, we’ve got you covered!
