Cannabis capsules are perfect for non-smokers. They are also great for people that don’t want to consume edibles. Keep in mind, the effects are delayed and can take up to 2 hours. With predetermined amounts of THC, dosing becomes reliable and consistent.
What You Need To Make Cannabis Capsules
A short list of supplies includes cannabis, coconut oil, empty capsules, capsule holder and a syringe.
Cannabis
You need a source of THC (or CBD) for your cannabis capsules. This can include tincture, concentrates or dried flower. Concentrates including RSO, BHO, shatter, hash and more can be readily dissolved in coconut oil.
Should I Decarboxylate Cannabis for Capsules?
If you want to get high from canna caps … THCA becomes THC through the process of decarboxylation. Without decarboxylation, you will not get high from cannabis. In order to perform this process, heat dried flower or concentrates in the oven at 240°F for 25 to 30 minutes. Reduce cooking time depending on the amount of heat used in processing concentrates.
THCA
If you don’t want to get high from canna caps … skip the decarboxylation process. Although it doesn’t get you high, THCA has purported medicinal properties. It is used by some people for relief of inflammation and nausea and as an appetite stimulant. Many people believe that THCA in concentrated form fights cancer, although there need to be more studies.
Coconut Oil
Use either virgin coconut oil or liquid coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil makes longer lasting cannabis capsules, but must be utilized before mixture solidifies. Otherwise, the syringe will become clogged. Liquid coconut oil is easy to work with but can result in leaky capsules.
Empty capsules
Capsules are available in either vegan (cellulose) or gelatin. There are two common sizes which are “0” (small) or “00” (large). Large capsules are easier to fill.
Capsule Holder
Capsule holders make the job of filling canna caps easier. They are available in health food stores or online. Alternatively, you can make your own capsule holder by drilling holes in a piece of raw wood. Filling each capsule by hand can be tedious and very messy and is not recommended.
Syringe
An inexpensive syringe makes filling capsules a breeze. For example, a 10 mL syringe is a comfortable size for filling capsules.
Cannabis Capsule Making Instructions
Method 1: Use Cannabis Concentrates
Decarb concentrates for canna caps, if desired.
On medium heat, warm coconut oil to 150° F in a double boiler. You can use a pyrex measuring cup inside of a small saucepan filled with water for easier handling.
Add concentrates or tincture.
Turn heat to low and gently heat for 15 to 20 minutes to make sure all of the concentrates are evenly distributed throughout the oil.
Remove from heat.
Allow to cool slightly if you are using virgin coconut oil. Cool to room temperature if you are using liquid coconut oil.
Separate capsules into tops and bottoms. Put bottoms into capsule holder.
Stir oil mixture. Immediately suck oil into the syringe to prevent particles from settling.
Fill each capsule bottom, put tops on. Make sure the two pieces are securely pushed together.
Cannabis capsules are done.
Method 2: Use dried flower
You can make concentrated infused oil to fill your cannabis capsules. Use virgin coconut oil for this method in order to separate the oil from plant material and water.
In a heavy saucepan or double boiler, heat desired amount of decarbed cannabis and coconut oil with 3 to 4 cups of water on low heat for about 4 hours. Maintain 3 cups of water throughout this time.
Pour mixture through a fine strainer or cheesecloth. Pour a few cups of boiling water through to remove any remaining oil.
Allow mixture to cool so that the oil hardens and plant material settles to the bottom.
Remove hardened oil.
Reheat oil on low heat until melted.
Separate capsule tops and bottoms, place bottoms into capsule holder.
Suck up warm oil into a syringe and fill capsule bottoms.
Put tops on caps, making sure the two pieces are securely connected.
Cannabis capsules are done.
How Much Oil Do You Need To Make Canna Caps?
Each “00” capsule holds .75 mL product. Therefore, in order to make 30 canna caps, use 23 mL liquid including oil and dissolved concentrate.
Each “0” capsule holds .5 mL product; use 15 mL liquid including oil and dissolved concentrate to make 30 capsules.
Shelf Life of Cannabis Capsules
Virgin coconut oil will last on the shelf 6 months at 24°C without going rancid.
Because liquid coconut canna caps tend to leak oil, don’t make more than a 15 day supply at one time.
Store capsules in a dark container since sunlight degrades THC.
Safe Storage of Cannabis Products
Always store cannabis capsules in childproof containers safely out of reach of children and pets.
How To Make Cannabis Capsules
Ingredients
- cannabis
- 23 mL coconut oil
Instructions
Method #1 Use Concentrates
- Decarb concentrates, if desired.
- On medium heat, warm coconut oil to 150° F in a double boiler. You can use a pyrex measuring cup inside of a small saucepan filled with water for easier handling.
- Stir in concentrates or tincture, turn heat to low and heat gently for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Allow to cool slightly if you are using virgin coconut oil. Cool to room temperature if you are using liquid coconut oil.
- Separate capsules into tops and bottoms. Put bottoms into capsule holder.
- Stir oil mixture. Immediately suck oil into the syringe to prevent particles from settling. Fill each capsule bottoms.
- Put tops on. Make sure the two pieces are securely pushed together.
Method #2 Use Dried Flower
- In a heavy saucepan or double boiler, heat desired amount of decarbed cannabis and virgin coconut oil with 3 to 4 cups of water on low heat for about 4 hours. Maintain 3 cups of water throughout this time.
- Pour mixture through a fine strainer or cheesecloth. Chase with a few cups of boiling water to remove any remaining oil. Let mixture cool.
- Remove hardened oil. Place into a saucepan and heat gently until melted.
- Separate capsule tops and bottoms, place bottoms into capsule holder.
- Suck up warm oil into a syringe and fill capsule bottoms. Put tops on caps, making sure the two pieces are securely connected.
Notes
Storing Cannabis Capsules
Virgin coconut oil will last on the shelf 6 months at 24°C without going rancid. Because liquid coconut capsules tend to leak oil, don’t make more than a 15 day supply at one time. Store capsules in a dark container since sunlight degrades THC.Safe Storage of Cannabis Products
Always store cannabis capsules in childproof containers safely out of reach of children and pets.Nutrition
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I made essential oil capsules and stored extras in the freezer. that keeps the oils solid and from leaking, it would probably work for this too 🙂
Hey can I put vg tincture in a capsules
Would it be a good idea or a bad one to try this with cannabutter?
How much concentrate to oil? I use 1 gram of RSO to 70 ml coconut oil but only get around 15 x size 0 capsules.
It depends on what kind of concentrates you are using. If you use RSO, a gram would have roughly 750 mg of THC. Therefore, if you wanted to make 25 mg capsules, use 1 gram of RSO and 20 mL coconut oil (liquid). This will yield 30 capsules because each 0 capsule is 0.68 mL. I’m not sure how you only got 15 capsules using 70 mL coconut oil. Make sure you measure coconut oil after it’s melted.
Do I have to infuse with oil? What happens if I just decarb some dry bud, grind into a fine powder, and fill caps with the powder?
Dry capsules would have the same effects as the oil capsules. However, you may find it takes longer and creates more mess when you put powder into the caps. Either method works… it’s a matter of personal preference.
I’ve only Ever done this once I’ve a major tolerance to weed so at the time I thought they were not the best. Although I never took more than 2 at a time. I used coconut oil, sunflower lecithin & thc (mostly of dried flower trimmings but also a lot of sugar leaves and a few strains of different grade A weed ground up plus pollen all mixed and grinded to dust , I didn’t decarb because I’m not sure if it applies to dust ? ) Felt it to be a waste of my weed but mainly due to my error I think I might’ve either put too much coconut oil or too much lecithin in there, but I’m giving it another go with Cali weed this weekend except without The lecithin. If anybody has any info that’d be great. Also ground the product (thc flower) to near dust so do you still have to decarb and if so how I’d imagine it wouldn’t apply with finely ground powder (weed grinded to dust & crystal catcher catching etc.) thanks
You definitely have to decarb to convert THCA to THC to get the full effects of the capsules. If you’re nervous about decarbing pollen or kief, decarb at 225°F for about 25 to 35 minutes. Lecithin does not make edibles more potent and it is not necessary to add lecithin when making capsules.
To the person that asked about homogeneous mixing of the viscous soy lecithin and concentrates into the coconut oil. I get the temperature to about 225 f and the magnetic stirrer works great.
The concentrate I use is so thick and sticky like pine sap as is the liquid sunflower lecihtin.
Are there any chemistry nerds out there that can describe a reliable way to create an homogeneous solution with these ingredients and coconut oil?
My experience is that the cannabis is unevenly mixed in, even when I first dilute it in a few milliliters of Everclear.
I thought about using a magnetic stirring capsule, but these liquids are very sticky.
Thank you for any help you can give me.
Thanks for the great info, i wondered if i might ask – what is the thin black line of material at the top of the caps and how would i reduce this?
thanks very much,
The line you see in the pictures is just a refection of light (should have used a filter when taking pictures, oops!). The oil in the capsules is evenly mixed and there is no line at the top as suggested by the photos. However, it’s a good idea to stir or agitate the oil as you are dispensing in case there are any heavy particles that settle to the bottom.
which brand of capsules do you recommend? Mine dissolve too quickly
I use “Now” brand capsules and they seem to work fine.
Since I found this recipe I have made my own cannabis capsules and I love the step by step recipe for making them. Keep up the good work!
I have always filled my capsules one by one and now I will make my own capsule holder and I can get my cannabis capsules done faster. What a great idea!
IF YOU COOK THE CANNABIS WILL IT STINK THE HOUSE UP COULD YOU JUST PUT IT IN ATUBE
If you cook cannabis in your oven, it will stink up your house. I always use a baking tray, so I’m not sure if a tube would help. Also, you can try putting cannabis in a jar and throw into a pot of boiling water for an hour. Just watch out that the glass doesn’t break or you will have a real mess on your hands, not to mention your cannabis gets wet.
You can put your cannabis in a mason jar, thn put that mason jar into the preheated oven of 220f and for each 15-20 flips sides and shake try not to keep oven door open for too long thn I add my oil to that mason jar and put a towel in the bottom on pot fill with water on 3-5 setting on stove top thn put mason jar into water and let it sit in water for 2-5 hours depends on you and make sure to shake the jar every now and then. Once done strain out flower and store oil.