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How Many Grams Is a Zip of Weed? Quick Answer Plus Full Weight Chart
A zip equals 28 grams (1 ounce) of cannabis. Learn the 60-second scale verification method, understand THCa shipping laws, and calculate real costs.
Written by Sipho Sam
September 16th, 2025
A zip equals exactly 28 grams, which is one ounce of cannabis flower.
Knowing that number alone won't protect you from getting shorted, overpaying, or accidentally breaking the law.
You need three things before buying any ounce of cannabis: proof the weight is accurate, confirmation it's legal to purchase, and certainty you're paying a fair price.
This guide teaches you how to verify all three in under 60 seconds.
Whether comparing dispensary prices on a Friday afternoon or considering your first online hemp order, you'll learn the exact verification system that transforms nervous first-time buyers into confident purchasers who know they're getting exactly what they paid for.
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Table of Contents
A Zip Equals 28 Grams (Here's the 10-Second Verification Method)
Complete Cannabis Weight Chart From Grams to Pounds
Why THCa Zips Ship Legally But Laws Change When You Light Up
What You'll Actually Pay for a Zip in 2025
How Long Your 28 Grams Will Really Last
Store Your Zip Without Stinking Up Your Apartment
Your 60-Second Zip Verification Checklist
A Zip Equals 28 Grams (Here's the 10-Second Verification Method)
The confusion starts immediately because some sources say 28 grams while others say 28.35 grams, but one ounce technically equals 28.3495 grams, and the cannabis industry rounds down to 28 grams for simplicity.
That missing 0.35 grams represents about two dollars' worth of flower at typical prices.
Dispensaries and legitimate sellers account for this rounding in their pricing.
Street dealers who claim their "light" 25-gram bags are "close enough to an ounce" are shorting you.
The fastest way to verify purchases is with a digital scale and a US nickel. A nickel weighs exactly 5.0 grams, making it perfect for calibration.
Place the nickel on your scale, and if it reads 5.0 grams, your scale is accurate.
Now weigh your purchase, which should read between 28.0 and 28.5 grams for a legitimate zip.
Red Flags That You're Being Shorted
Watch for sellers who refuse to weigh product in front of you, claim their scale "needs batteries," or insist their bags are "eyeballed but always generous."
Professional operations, whether dispensaries or online hemp retailers like Mood, include exact weights on packaging and provide lab certificates confirming those weights.
Many buyers share stories of receiving 25-gram "ounces" from dealers who insist that's standard, but you're missing 11% of your purchase, equivalent to three joints.
Don't accept excuses about "moisture loss" or "stem weight" because properly cured flower maintains its weight and stems should be minimal in quality product.
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Complete Cannabis Weight Chart From Grams to Pounds
The cannabis measurement system starts with a single gram (0.035 ounces), enough for one or two joints or three to four bowls.
An eighth equals 3.5 grams or one-eighth of an ounce, typically rolling into 3-7 joints and lasting casual users one to two weeks.
A quarter weighs 7 grams (one-quarter ounce), provides 7-14 joints, and is the sweet spot for testing new strains without overcommitting.
A half or "half-zip" contains 14 grams (half an ounce), yielding 14-28 joints and representing a monthly supply for many users.
The zip itself weighs 28 grams or one full ounce, producing 28-56 joints depending on rolling preferences. This is where bulk savings typically kick in.
A quarter pound (QP) is 112 grams or 4 ounces, which is often the maximum personal possession limit in legal states.
A pound contains 448 grams or 16 ounces, entering commercial quantity territory.
These measurements assume an average-density flower, but dense, tightly packed buds from indoor grows might fill half the space of fluffy, outdoor-grown flowers while weighing exactly the same.
Don't judge weight by eye alone when examining weed measurements.
Why Your Zip Looks Smaller Than Expected
Volume varies dramatically based on growing conditions and strain genetics.
Indoor-grown cannabis typically produces denser nugs that look deceptively small.
A 28-gram bag of dense indoor flower might appear half the size of loose, airy outdoor buds.
Premium products often come in smaller, tighter nuggets.
If your ounce looks small but weighs correctly, you likely received quality dense flower rather than fluffy filler.
Trust the scale, not your eyes.
Why THCa Zips Ship Legally But Laws Change When You Light Up
Hemp-derived THCa flower containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight ships legally under federal law.
This creates a pathway for companies to ship full ounce packages nationwide to most states, as explained in detail about how weed is legal.
The distinction matters because THCa becomes more potent when heated.
That legal THCa flower transforms into a different compound when you smoke or vape it, which is why some states have created their own restrictions regardless of federal hemp laws.
Reading a Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Every legitimate hemp zip includes a COA from an independent laboratory.
Look for three critical numbers: Delta-9 THC (must be under 0.3%), THCa percentage (determines potency after heating), and total cannabinoids.
The testing date should be recent, ideally within six months.
Reputable sellers include third-party testing results with every package and make them available online before purchase.
Find another source if a seller can't or won't provide current lab results.
State-by-State Reality Check
Eight states currently prohibit all THC variants, including hemp-derived THCa.
Another dozen have unclear or rapidly changing regulations.
Before ordering online, verify your state's current position.
Most hemp companies maintain updated compliance maps showing where they can and cannot ship.
Some apartments, employers, or local jurisdictions maintain restrictions even in legal states.
Federal legality provides a baseline, but always check your specific situation when exploring buying cannabis online safely.
Watch: How To Use Cannabis Flower
What You'll Actually Pay for a Zip in 2025
The sweet spot for quality cannabis zips falls between $100 and $140.
This range represents solid indoor-grown flower without the premium markup of boutique brands or the quality concerns of bottom-shelf options.
Regional variations create dramatic price differences. Oregon's oversupply drives prices down to $90 for decent ounces.
Illinois taxes push the same quality above $250.
Online hemp retailers typically land in the middle at $99-129, offering consistency across state lines.
Understanding Quality Tiers
Cannabis under $80 per ounce typically consists of outdoor grows, older harvests, or shake and trim, best reserved for cooking or strict budget constraints.
The $80-100 range delivers greenhouse or decent outdoor flower, sometimes last season's indoor crops, serving daily users who prioritize value over premium quality.
The sweet spot is between $100 and $140: current indoor harvests with good genetics and proper curing perfectly balance quality and value.
Premium indoor flower, priced between $140 and $180, features exotic strains and small-batch cultivation, ideal for special occasions or cannabis connoisseurs.
Anything over $180 enters craft cannabis territory with rare genetics or celebrity branding, purchased mainly for gifts or collecting.
Companies position their flower products in that $100-140 sweet spot, competing with dispensary pricing while offering interstate shipping advantages.
Calculating Real Value
Compare per-gram pricing to understand true value.
Buying eighths separately at $35 each means paying $280 for an ounce worth.
A $120 zip saves you $160, or $5.71 per gram.
Even accounting for the convenience of smaller amounts, bulk purchases make financial sense for regular users.
How Long Your 28 Grams Will Really Last
Your consumption pattern determines whether a zip represents weeks or months of supply.
Daily users consuming a gram per day finish an ounce in four weeks.
Weekend users stretching two grams across Friday and Saturday extend that same ounce to three months.
The eighth-ounce test provides personalized timeline estimates.
Buy 3.5 grams and track how long it lasts with your normal consumption.
Multiply that duration by eight for your zip timeline.
If an eighth lasts ten days, an ounce provides 80 days of supply.
Consumption Methods Matter
How you consume dramatically affects duration.
Joints and blunts burn continuously, wasting flower between hits. Bowls and bongs offer more control but still combust everything at once.
Vaporizers extract cannabinoids more efficiently, potentially doubling your zip's lifespan.
Rolling habits also impact consumption. Gram joints get passed around groups. Personal 0.3-gram joints stretch supplies further.
Those 28 grams could mean anywhere from 28 party joints to 90 personal ones.
The Freshness Factor
Cannabis maintains peak potency for about three months when stored properly.
Buying a six-month supply might seem economical, but degradation reduces both potency and flavor over time.
Match your purchase size to realistic consumption timelines, considering factors like pre-roll shelf life for reference.
Store Your Zip Without Stinking Up Your Apartment
Proper storage preserves both potency and discretion.
The three-container system works best: a daily jar holding one week's supply for easy access, main storage keeping the bulk in optimal conditions, and an outer smell-proof layer maintaining discretion.
Glass mason jars provide ideal storage for your main supply.
Add a humidity pack maintaining 58-62% relative humidity to prevent both drying and mold.
Keep jars in a cool, dark place.
Heat and light degrade cannabinoids faster than time.
Managing Odor Concerns
Quality flower announces itself.
Even vacuum-sealed packages from online retailers release aroma once opened, though discreet weed packaging helps during shipping.
Smell-proof bags with activated carbon lining contain odors better than regular containers.
For apartments or shared spaces, combine approaches.
Store the mason jar inside a smell-proof bag, keep that in a closet or drawer, and consider an air purifier for extra security.
Some users add coffee grounds or dryer sheets nearby, though these mask rather than eliminate odors.
Travel and Portability
Never travel with your entire zip.
Beyond legal risks, carrying 28 grams makes every interaction more serious if discovered.
Portion out what you need in smaller containers.
Many users keep their bulk storage completely separate from daily carry amounts.
Your 60-Second Zip Verification Checklist
The Three Proofs Framework
Weight Proof (15 seconds):
Calibrate scale with a nickel (5.0 grams exact)
Weigh the unopened package
Verify 28.0-28.5 gram range
Reject anything under 27.5 grams
Legal Proof (30 seconds):
Locate the COA or lab results link
Confirm Delta-9 THC under 0.3%
Check testing date (should be within 6 months)
Verify lab is DEA-certified or ISO-accredited
Value Proof (15 seconds):
Calculate per-gram price (total ÷ 28)
Compare to local eighth prices (÷ 3.5)
Factor in convenience, selection, and legality
Expect $3.50-5.00 per gram for quality
This framework applies whether buying from a dispensary, cannabis delivery services, or online retailers.
Companies operating transparently, with included lab results and clear weight labeling, naturally satisfy all three proofs without extra verification steps.
When to Walk Away
Trust your verification system.
Sellers who resist weighing, won't provide lab results, or pressure quick decisions before verification deserve skepticism.
Legitimate businesses welcome scrutiny because their products pass every test.
Making Your First Zip Purchase With Confidence
You now possess more than trivia about measurements.
You understand that a zip equals 28 grams, but more importantly, you know how to verify weight accuracy with a nickel, read COAs for legal compliance, and recognize fair pricing between $100-140.
The transformation from confused Google searcher to informed purchaser happens through verification, not memorization.
Whether you choose a local dispensary, delivery service, or explore options to order weed delivery online, you have the tools to ensure you receive exactly what you pay for.
Your next step depends on your situation.
Legal state residents might compare local dispensary options.
Those in restricted areas can explore hemp-derived alternatives that ship nationwide.
Everyone should invest in a digital scale and practice the nickel calibration trick.
Remember the three proofs: weight you can verify, legality you can document, and value you can calculate.
Any seller meeting these standards deserves consideration.
Any seller avoiding them deserves suspicion.
With this framework, that Friday afternoon purchase decision becomes simple math rather than anxious guesswork.
A zip will always equal 28 grams.
Knowing how to verify that weight, confirm its legality, and determine fair value transforms you from a potential target to an educated consumer.
Use it wisely.
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