Its best to have a scale anytime whether your new to cannabis or you have smoked for ages only problem is you will learn the price for having a scale when the cops come around i gave mine away to a dealer and he hooked me up for the longest time cant complain but i know guys that can look at a bag and tell you how much is in there over time you get to learn what 1/8 1/4 1/2 etc... look like and you prolly wont need a scale