For anyone new to cannabis, the terminology for everything from different types of marijuana to the measurements used to sell specific quantities can be overwhelming. At first, it can feel like you’re learning a foreign language, and it’s easy to make mistakes when you aren’t sure what you’re buying. 

Areas that often include buyers include the common weed quantities and how much pot you get when purchasing a certain amount, especially when sellers use cannabis slang to describe products. For example, many novice users wonder, “How much is a zip of weed?” 

The short answer is that a zip is about an ounce of cannabis, or 28 grams. It’s the largest quantity you can purchase and possess from a dispensary at once. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to marijuana vocabulary.

Understanding Weed Quantities 

Most dispensaries sell cannabis in bulk by weight or as pre-rolled joints. Purchasing in bulk usually means buying one of the following measures:

•     Gram, or 1/28th of an ounce. This is one gram of weed, an amount that fits in the palm of your hand and typically fills a joint or two. A gram is sometimes called a dime or dime bag, as it’s often equivalent to about $10 worth of pot.
•     A Dub, or dub sack, or 1/14th of an ounce. A dub is two grams of marijuana.
•     An Eighth, or 1/8 of an ounce. This equals 3.5 grams and is the most popular option for occasional users who have a favorite cannabis strain. In cannabis slang, some people call this amount a slice, referring to the practice of cutting pizzas into eight slices.
•     A Quarter, or ¼ of an ounce. This equals 7 grams. 
•     A Half, or ½ an ounce. An ounce equals 14 grams.

Finally, to confirm, “How much is a zip of weed?” it equals one full ounce. Some have suggested that the name has something to do with the fact that this amount of marijuana usually comes in a Ziploc bag. Dispensaries often use these bags to keep cannabis fresh and reduce odors, making transport easier.

A zip usually resembles a few nugs or smokable portions of the cannabis flower. To help you visualize how much cannabis you get, think of a large apple or a good handful of buds. Depending on the strain, the individual buds max out at about the size of a golf ball.

However it looks or whatever storage method you use, it’s a lot of product that can last for quite some time if you use it sparingly. 

Some customers ask about purchasing more than a zip of weed or want to know how many zips equal one pound. A pound is 16 ounces, so 16 zips would equal one pound of marijuana. However, no one can legally purchase that much cannabis at once, and it would be prohibitively expensive for most buyers.

How Much Does a Zip of Weed Cost? 

Weed prices vary wildly depending on a wide range of factors, including the strain, where you purchase it, and, of course, the amount you buy. 

As a general rule, when you’re buying from a dispensary in a state with a well-established recreational marijuana industry, you’ll pay less for products than you would in a state that only recently legalized recreational use. Areas that only allow medical cannabis use have the highest prices. 

However, the strain of weed you choose will have a greater influence on the overall cost than the location. Strains with high levels of THC, like Wedding Cake, cost significantly more than those containing more moderate or lower amounts. The overall quality of the product, its availability, and demand also influence how much you’ll pay for your supply.

In any case, you should expect to pay at least $100 or more for a zip of quality cannabis. 

Should You Buy a Zip of Marijuana?

Now that you know “How much is a zip of weed?” the question is whether you should purchase one. That answer depends on a few key factors, too. 

For starters, what is your experience using cannabis? If you have never used marijuana before, or you only smoke on occasion, buying a zip makes little sense. It takes time and trial and error to determine which cannabis strains you enjoy the most, which ones offer the most benefit to you, and whether you even like using cannabis. 

If you invest in a zip before you have some experience under your belt, you could end up with a lot of weed that is either too potent or not potent enough or something you don’t enjoy using. Inexperienced or casual users are better off buying pre-rolls to try different strains to find the one they like best or sticking to smaller quantities of weed like grams and dubs. 

How Long Does a Zip of Weed Last? 

How long an ounce of marijuana lasts depends on your consumption habits. For someone who smokes a daily joint, a zip will last about a month or so, depending on how much cannabis you pack in. If you only partake a few times a week, your stash will last much longer. 

Overall, you can usually expect to get anywhere from 28 to 56 joints, nine to 14 blunts, or 56 bowls from a zip of weed. If you typically use cannabis for edibles, an ounce should last for months since you only need a small amount for each recipe. Adding a whole ounce to any baked good or other edible will make the finished product too potent for even the most experienced user. 

How To Store a Zip of Weed 

One of the challenges of buying weed in bulk is finding the best way to store it to preserve its freshness. Cannabis can lose potency and flavor over time, especially if you don’t store it correctly. 

Ideally, you should keep your stash in an airtight container like a mason jar or designated stash box. Store the container away from heat or light, which can cause the buds to deteriorate in quality. Managing humidity is also important; consider using silica gel humidity packs to absorb extra moisture.

The optimal temperature for weed storage is about 68 to 77 degrees, with a humidity of about 60%. If you store your zip in a cool, dry, dark area, it should retain its freshness for several months or longer. 

Is It Legal To Purchase a Zip of Marijuana?

Some customers, upon realizing the actual amount of pot in a zip, wonder whether it’s legal to purchase and possess that much. State laws vary, but in every state where recreational marijuana is legal, it is legal to buy and have at least one ounce, or the equivalent of a zip. In some places, the law allows individuals to have larger weed quantities for medical use or under certain conditions. 

For example, Massachusetts allows you to have up to one ounce of marijuana on your person at any given time, and you can store up to 10 ounces under lock and key at home, while California only allows possession of up to an ounce. As the consumer, it’s up to you to know and abide by the laws in your state to avoid criminal charges or penalties. 

Also Read: a Few Weed Laws

Order High-Quality Weed in Your Preferred Quantity from Nexus Delivers 

Whether you prefer pre-rolls or an eighth or want to invest in a full zip, Nexus Delivers is the top source for quality cannabis in the Sacramento, CA, area. Get answers to questions like “How much is a zip of weed?” and then choose from a wide selection of flowers, edibles, cartridges, topicals, and more from your favorite brands. Order online and have products delivered to your door within a few hours. 

Check us out today and access the best products without hassles or needing to leave home.