4 Grams of Weed: Understanding Marijuana Weights and Measurements

21 August 2024
Is 4 grams a lot of weed? What does it look like? How long will it last? We answer these questions and more.
21 August 2024
5 min read
4 Grams of Weed: Understanding Marijuana Weights and Measurements

Contents:
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  • 1. Visualizing the size of 4 grams of weed
  • 2. How much will this amount cost you?
  • 3. What does the price depend on?
  • 4. What type of smoker should buy 4 grams of weed?
  • 5. How long will 4 grams of weed last me?
  • 6. To conclude

In the industry dominated by the imperial system of measurements, 4 grams of weed isn’t the most popular weight. You’re more likely to see buds packaged in 3.5-gram bags (an eighth of an ounce), which, according to a study, accounts for about 60% of all retail cannabis sales. However, it’s not uncommon for very small quantities of marijuana to be measured in grams. So, it wouldn’t hurt knowing what 4 grams of weed may look like, what type of smokers should buy that much and for what purposes, and how long this amount may last an average smoker.

Visualizing the Size of 4 Grams of Weed

Growers, dealers, budtenders, they all can tell how much flower is in front of them just by sight. However, it’s not that easy for a newbie, as it isn’t only the size of the bud that matters, but also how dense it is and how well it’s been trimmed. Having said that, you can think of 1 gram as one medium-sized nugget without being very wrong. Which makes 4 grams of weed 4 such nuggets.

 

4 Grams of Weed: Understanding Marijuana Weights and Measurements: An infographic showing how many joints you can roll from 4 grams of cannabis

Roll up to 8 joints with 4 grams of cannabis.


4 grams of shake is a different story, as ground up buds are much airier and appear bulkier. So, the same 4 grams may seem like a lot of weed when shredded in a grinder. Anyway, this quantity is enough to roll 4 full-size, cone-shaped joints or even up to 8 smaller joints.


If you prefer smoking from a bong or a pipe, their bowls can hold at least 0.5-1 grams and often more. The exact amount depends not only on the size of the bowl but also on how tightly you pack it. Think of 4 grams of weed as something that will pack 4 standard-size bowls.

How Much Will This Amount Cost You?

Usually, the price per gram is substantially higher than those 10 bucks oldtimers remember. It’s seldom lower than $12 and may get as high as $20. With just 4 grams of weed, you aren’t likely to get any noticeable bulk discount, so prepare to cough up around 45-75 dollars.

 

What Does the Price Depend On?

The price for different types of flower varies so much that you’d want to know what it is you’re paying for, even if it’s only 4 grams of weed. The uninitiated would probably think weed is weed and go for the cheapest kind, but it’s not always a good idea, as the price is rarely arbitrary. Here’s what it may depend on:

 

  • Quantity. The more you buy, the lower the per-gram-prices, but bulk discounts usually start with amounts larger than 4 grams of weed - e.g. a quarter of an ounce (7 grams).
  • Quality. Cannabis isn’t unlike wine – it can be on a scale between mediocre and extraordinary depending on how much love and care the cultivator has given their plants. Beyond growing, the quality also depends on the best practices post-harvest, such as slow drying and curing, as well as maintaining perfect storing conditions.
  • Cannabinoid Composition. The levels of THC, CBD, and their cannabinoid relatives depend on the strain and cultivation conditions and influence the potency of buds. The same 4 grams of two different strains may be enough for just a couple of sessions or for many more depending on how strong they are. So, are you really overpaying for your 4 grams of weed when you choose a pricier but higher-THC strain? Chances are that on the contrary - you’re saving money.

  • Terpene Profile. Terpenes are volatile aromatic chemicals that give plants their distinct smells, and when people think that the stinkiest buds are also the strongest, they aren’t very wrong. Thanks to the entourage effect, every chemical in marijuana, including terpenes, contributes to the character of the high. The bottom line: choose with your nose, even if the better-smelling buds cost considerably more.
  • Brand Name. Some companies are working hard to gain a reputation in an industry as competitive as the cannabis sector. Even celebrities, such as Mike Tyson, are now in the business of growing boutique-quality weed. When buying buds that aren't a generic product from a large-scale producer, be ready to pay a steeper price.

 

4 grams of weed aren’t cheap enough to just shrug your shoulders and give the leftovers to your friend if you didn’t like your purchase, so choose wisely.

 

4 Grams of Weed: Understanding Marijuana Weights and Measurements: A small heap of dry cannabis buds on a white background

These are very small nugs, so it takes many of them to make 4 grams.

What Type of Smoker Should Buy 4 Grams of Weed?

As we have said before, the most popular quantity in dispensaries and in the streets is an eighth of an ounce, or 3.5 grams, and 4 grams are very close to this number. This amount is very convenient for any type of smoker:

 

  • Beginners. They can buy 4 grams of weed, if they have previously bought a tester of this particular strain, loved it, and decided to keep smoking these buds for some time. 4 grams may also be enough for a very small cooking project.
  • Experienced smokers. For this type of user, 4 grams of weed would be more of a tester – if they want to smoke this particular strain a few times and see how they like it in different situations.

 

How Long Will 4 Grams of Weed Last Me?

Habitual smokers, for whom smoking weed is an important part of their life, may easily smoke 1-1.5 grams a day, all days. Heavy users need even more. Beginners, on the other hand, may get very high from an amount as small as 0.1 g and want to take long breaks between smoking sessions. This means that 4 grams of weed may last anywhere between a day or two to many months, depending on the usage habits and tolerance levels.

To Conclude

4 grams of weed is an amount that is very close to the most popular one on the market – the eighth of an ounce – and is suitable, though in very different ways, for beginners and long-time users alike. Now you know what this amount of bud may look like, how much it may cost, and you can give an estimate of how long it may last you. Thanks for reading!