What Is a Dram?
A dram is a unit of volume. One dram equals 1/8 of a fluid ounce, or roughly 3.7ml. In cannabis packaging, "dram" refers to the interior volume capacity of a container — most commonly pop top bottles and child-resistant vials. When a dispensary orders "19 dram pop tops," they're ordering a container that holds about 70ml of interior volume — which comfortably fits 3.5 grams of cannabis flower.
The dram system became the default sizing language in cannabis retail because pop top bottles — the dominant dispensary container format — have always been sized this way. If you're running a dispensary, processing facility, or cannabis brand, understanding dram sizes is essential to ordering the right packaging for your SKU lineup.
Cannabis Dram Size Chart
Here's how dram sizes map to common cannabis weights and use cases:
| Dram Size | Volume (ml) | Cannabis Weight | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 dram | ~22ml | 0.5g – 1g | 1g flower, sample sizes |
| 8 dram | ~30ml | 1g – 1.5g | infused 1 gram singles |
| 13 dram | ~48ml | 2g – 3g | 2g flower, small formats, accessories |
| 19 dram | ~70ml | 3.5g (1/8 oz) | Eighths — the most popular dispensary size |
| 30 dram | ~110ml | 7g (1/4 oz) | Quarters, value SKUs, multi-pack pre-rolls |
| 60 dram | ~222ml | 14g (1/2 oz) | Half ounces, bulk flower programs |
| 90 dram | ~333ml | 28g (1 oz) | Ounce deals, large-format retail |
| 160 dram | ~592ml | Multi-oz bulk | Bulk storage, multi-pack formats, back-of-house |
How to Match Dram Size to Your Product
The chart above is a starting point — but dram sizing isn't just about weight. It's also about density. Cannabis flower varies significantly in how much space it takes up per gram:
- Dense, compact flower (think tightly trimmed indoor) packs efficiently. A 19 dram container will hold a full 3.5g without feeling cramped.
- Fluffy, airy flower (light greenhouse or outdoor grows) takes up more volume per gram. You may need to size up — what fits as a 1/4 oz in a 30 dram might need a 60 dram for a looser harvest.
- Shake and trim pack even more efficiently than dense flower, so you can often size down.
The rule of thumb: order a few sizes and fill test them with your actual product before committing to a bulk order. Most operators land on the 19 dram for eighths and 30 dram for quarters as their core SKUs, with 6 dram for pre-roll singles.
Pop Top Bottles vs. Other Container Types
Pop top bottles dominate dispensary shelves for good reason. Compared to mylar bags, glass jars, and generic pill bottles, pop tops offer a unique combination of compliance, convenience, and cost-efficiency:
- Child-resistant by design — The squeeze-and-lift mechanism meets CPSC and ISO child-resistant standards without requiring a separate CR bag. No repackaging at point of sale.
- Airtight seal — High-quality pop tops maintain freshness without the heat-sealing equipment required for mylar bags.
- Stackable and efficient — Pop tops store and ship efficiently, saving space on dispensary shelves and in your stockroom.
- Label-ready surface — The cylindrical body is a clean canvas for compliance labels, strain stickers, or brand labels.
- Low cost at volume — Starting at $0.04/unit at Dragon Chewer, pop tops are one of the most cost-effective CR packaging options on the market.
Choosing the Right Color
Pop top bottles aren't just functional — they're a branding opportunity. Dragon Chewer carries 19 colors across the full dram range, from opaque black and white to translucent green, clear, and everything in between. A few considerations:
- Opaque colors (black, white, solid colors) keep light out, which helps preserve terpenes and cannabinoids over time. Better for products that will sit on a shelf.
- Translucent and clear options let customers see the product inside — useful for visually appealing flower or to build customer trust at point of sale.
- Brand consistency — Running all your containers in one or two signature colors is an easy way to create shelf presence without a custom print budget.
Pre-Roll Tubes: The Pop Top Exception
Pre-roll tubes are technically pop top containers too — same squeeze-and-lift mechanism, same CR compliance — but sized by length (in millimeters) rather than dram volume. The most common sizes:
- 92mm — standard single joint (84mm paper + filter)
- 109mm — king-size joints and most commercial pre-rolls
- 116mm — longer king-size and custom pre-rolls; the most popular wholesale size
If you're packaging pre-rolls, tubes are the move. If you're packaging flower, concentrate, or edibles, dram bottles are your format.
Shop Dragon Chewer Pop Top Bottles
Dragon Chewer stocks the full dram range — 6 dram through 160 dram — in 19 colors, all CPSC certified and compliant in regulated cannabis markets across the US. Pricing starts at $0.07/unit with free shipping on eligible orders. No minimums on most products.
Browse our full pop top bottle and container collection to find the right size and color for your operation. Questions? Reach us at sales@dragonchewer.com or 661-206-7134, Mon–Fri 8am–4:30pm PST.