How to Make Cannabis Capsules (Precise, Easy Dosing)

To make cannabis capsules, fill empty gelatin or vegetable capsules with dosed cannabis oil. A size 00 capsule holds about 0.7 ml; divide the total milligrams of THC in your oil by the number of capsules to know the dose in each. Use liquid MCT oil for easy filling, or coconut oil that sets solid so the capsules do not leak.

Why capsules are the most precise home edible

Unlike gummies or baked goods, capsules carry a measured volume of infused oil, so every dose is identical and there is no sugar, flavor or baking to get in the way. They are discreet, easy to store, and the effects behave like any other edible: slow to arrive, long to last.

What you need

• Cannabis-infused oil (MCT for liquid fill, or coconut oil for a solid fill)
• Empty capsules, gelatin or vegetable, size 00 is the usual choice
• A dropper or a small syringe
• Optional: a capsule filling tray to hold them upright

How to make cannabis capsules, step by step

Step 1: Infuse and measure your oil

Decarboxylate and infuse your cannabis into the oil first, then work out its strength. Estimate the total milligrams of THC in the batch so you can dose each capsule accurately.

Step 2: Choose your dose per capsule

Decide how many milligrams you want per capsule, for example 5 or 10 mg. Divide the total THC in your oil by that number to find how many capsules the batch makes. A size 00 capsule holds roughly 0.7 ml, so most home oils give a comfortable dose per capsule.

Step 3: Fill the capsules

Pull the capsule apart, hold the larger half upright, and fill it with a dropper or syringe. For MCT oil, fill while liquid. For coconut oil, gently warm it to a pourable state, fill, then let it set. Do not overfill or the halves will not close.

Step 4: Close and store

Cap each capsule and store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, or the fridge if you used coconut oil. Label them clearly with the dose and keep them away from children and pets.

Capsule size reference

Capsule size	Approx. volume	Good for
Size 0	~0.5 ml	Smaller doses, easier to swallow
Size 00	~0.7 ml	The common all-round choice
Size 000	~1.0 ml	Larger doses, bigger to swallow

Frequently asked questions

How strong should each cannabis capsule be?

A common starting dose is 5 to 10 mg of THC per capsule. Divide the total milligrams of THC in your oil by the number of capsules to check. If you are new, aim for 2.5 to 5 mg and take one, then wait two hours.

Should I use MCT or coconut oil for capsules?

MCT oil is easiest because it stays liquid and fills cleanly. Coconut oil works too and sets solid, which prevents leaks, but you have to warm it to fill. Both carry cannabinoids equally well.

What capsule size should I use?

Size 00 is the usual choice, holding about 0.7 ml. Use size 0 for smaller doses or if you find large capsules hard to swallow, and size 000 only for larger doses.

How long do homemade cannabis capsules last?

Stored airtight in a cool, dark place, they keep for several months. Coconut oil capsules are best kept in the fridge. As with any edible, effects can take up to two hours to arrive.

Start with well-infused oil

Consistent capsules come from evenly infused oil. The NOIDS Herb Lab basic bundle decarboxylates and infuses in one gentle cycle. To estimate your dose per capsule, use the THC oil and tincture calculator.

Lipid Vehicle Selection and Oral Cannabinoid Bioavailability

Biopharmaceutics research shows that encapsulating lipophilic cannabinoids in lipid excipients such as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT oil, C8/C10) or long-chain coconut and olive oils markedly increases intestinal micellar solubilization compared with lipid-free oral formulations (Zgair et al., 2016, American Journal of Translational Research, PubMed PMID 27648106). Regardless of capsule shell material (gelatin or hypromellose HPMC), flower must undergo complete thermal decarboxylation before lipid extraction so that acidic THCA and CBDA are converted into orally active neutral cannabinoids for home-prepared edibles and capsules (Lucas et al., 2018, British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, PubMed PMID 30001569).