Fact Checked by Doctor NameZip is slang for an ounce (28 grams) of cannabis. An ounce of marijuana is usually packaged in a ziplock bag.
Zip is mostly utilized in criminal marketplaces, not clinics.
Why is Weed Called Zip?
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In the illegal market, ziplock bags are frequently used to distribute wholesale amounts of marijuana of around one ounce.
Their sealing ability allows discreet transportation and masks the smell.
Their flexibility also makes concealing an ounce-sized bag on your person easier.
For these reasons, the sight of cannabis packaged up in a ziplock bag became associated with having a full ounce. And thus, the slang term zip was born.
How Much is a Zip of Weed?
- 1 zip = 8 eighths (3.5 grams each)
- 1 zip = 4 quarters (7 grams each)
- 1 zip = 28 joints (1g per joint)
- 1 zip = 14 blunts (2g per blunt)
- 1 zip = two half-ounces (14g per half-ounce)
- 1 zip = 1 oz = 28 grams
- 16 zips = 1 pound (also called a “pizzle”) = 16 oz
A zip refers to a standard ounce of cannabis, which contains 28 grams.
It can be broken down into smaller amounts like eighths and quarters.
An entire zip is enough cannabis to roll many joints or fill multiple blunts.
What Does a Zip of Weed Cost?
| Amount | Metric Amount | Low-Shelf Cost* | Mid-Shelf Cost* | Top Shelf Cost* |
| 1 zip | 1 ounce (28 grams) | $100 | $200 | $300+ |
*Approximate prices in illegal markets
Pricing for a zip varies greatly based on quality, demand, location, and other factors. Low-quality cannabis can go for around $100 an ounce.
High-end exotic strains can cost over $300 in competitive markets. Average pricing tends to sit between $200-250 per zip.
What Does a Zip of Weed Look Like?
A zip simply refers to the amount – one full ounce, regardless of strain or appearance. That said, certain traits are common when purchasing a zip of marijuana:
- Dense, compressed buds rather than loose shake
- A variety of bud sizes, from small popcorn nugs to large colas
- Bright green coloration with orange pistils and frosty trichomes
- Packaged in a ziplock bag, though sometimes vacuum-sealed instead
The strains and phenotypes will vary, but these general characteristics are typical for a zoom of high-quality cannabis.
Where Does the Term ‘Zip’ Come From?
While the precise etymology is uncertain, most sources agree that “zip” began being used as slang for an ounce of marijuana sometime in the late 1970s or early 80s.
It references the ziplock bags the cannabis would be packaged in.
The term zip helped conceal illegal dealings, as both police and other civilians were unlikely to recognize it as drug-related.
It allowed discreet transactions where directly referencing drugs would be unwise.
From the underground markets of the 70s/80s to modern legalization, zip remains a common slang term among both dealers and consumers when talking about quantities of cannabis.
Though now used alongside more clinical terms like “ounce”, zip evokes cannabis history and culture.
