How to Make Cannabis Capsules at Home (Step-by-Step)
A complete guide to making precise, odorless cannabis capsules at home — using infused oil or distillate, with exact dosing math and storage tips.
Editorial Notes
BatchCraft Editorial Team
Chaady Research Desk
Content is written for educational recipe-planning use and cross-checked against the calculator, recipe gallery, and process guidance already published on the site.
Updated 2026-05-08
Recipe and planning pages are designed to work with the BatchCraft calculator workflow, including serving-size assumptions, prep notes, and batch-planning helpers.
Why Make Cannabis Capsules?
Cannabis capsules are one of the most practical and precise ways to consume edibles. Each capsule delivers a fixed, pre-measured dose — no slicing brownies into equal pieces, no estimating gummy sizes. They are odorless, tasteless, portable, and indistinguishable from any other supplement capsule.
- Exact dosing — every capsule contains the same amount
- Odorless — no cannabis smell during consumption or storage
- Portable — fits in a pill organizer or travel bag
- Discreet — looks like any vitamin or supplement
- Long shelf life — properly stored capsules last 6+ months
- No special equipment needed — just infused oil and empty capsules
What You Need
- Infused oil (MCT oil or coconut oil recommended — both stay liquid)
- Empty gelatin or vegan (HPMC) capsules — size 00 holds ~0.9ml, size 0 holds ~0.68ml
- Capsule filling tray (optional but makes the process much faster)
- A dropper or small syringe for filling
- Kitchen scale
- Sealed storage container
MCT oil is ideal for capsules — it stays liquid at room temperature, is flavorless, and absorbs quickly. Coconut oil works but will solidify in cooler temperatures, making it harder to fill capsules. Avoid olive oil — the flavor can come through the capsule.
Step 1: Calculate Your Dose Per Capsule
Before filling a single capsule, use the BatchCraft calculator to determine how many mg of THC are in each ml of your infused oil. This is the most critical step — without this number, you cannot control your dose.
- 1Open BatchCraft and enter your source material (type, grams, THC%)
- 2Enter your carrier type (MCT oil) and total carrier weight in grams
- 3Set the number of portions to match your total capsule count
- 4Read the mg per serving — this is your dose per capsule
- 5Adjust source material amount until you reach your target dose (e.g. 5mg, 10mg)
Example: 7g of 20% flower infused into 120ml of MCT oil at standard efficiency yields approximately 530mg total. Filling 50 capsules gives ~10.6mg per capsule. Use the calculator to find the exact numbers for your specific batch.
Step 2: Make Your Infused MCT Oil
- 1Decarb your cannabis at 240°F for 40 minutes (see our decarb guide)
- 2Combine decarbed cannabis with MCT oil in a double boiler at 160–180°F
- 3Infuse for 2–4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes
- 4Strain through cheesecloth — press lightly to extract all oil
- 5Let cool to room temperature before filling capsules
- 6Test potency estimate using BatchCraft before filling
If you use cannabis distillate (90–99% THC), skip the infusion entirely. Warm the distillate slightly until it flows, then mix directly into MCT oil in precise amounts. No decarb needed. Calculate with BatchCraft using 95% concentration for distillate.
Step 3: Fill the Capsules
- 1Separate the capsule halves — the longer body goes on the bottom
- 2Use a dropper or 1ml syringe to fill each capsule body with infused oil
- 3Fill to approximately 80% capacity — leave room for the cap to close
- 4Cap each capsule immediately after filling
- 5Wipe any oil from the outside of capsules with a paper towel
- 6Store upright in a sealed container until fully set
A 24 or 48-hole capsule filling tray costs about $10 and makes the process 10x faster. It holds capsule bodies upright while you fill a whole batch at once, then lets you cap them all simultaneously.
Step 4: Label and Store
- Store in an airtight, opaque container — light and air degrade THC over time
- Refrigerate for up to 3 months, freeze for up to 1 year
- Label every container: date made, mg per capsule, cannabinoid type, and "CANNABIS"
- Use a pill organizer for daily doses — label each slot with the day and dose
- Keep away from heat — gelatin capsules soften above 80°F (27°C)
Dosing Cannabis Capsules
Cannabis capsules behave like any other edible — expect 30 minutes to 2 hours onset, 4–8 hours duration. The difference is you know exactly how many mg are in each one. Start with one capsule. Wait 2 full hours before taking a second. Keep a dosing journal to track your response.
| Dose Per Capsule | Who It's For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2.5 mg | Microdose / first-timers | Subtle effects, fully functional |
| 5 mg | Beginners | Standard starting dose |
| 10 mg | Regular users | Most common recreational dose |
| 25 mg | Experienced users | Strong — plan for full day impact |
| 50 mg+ | High tolerance / medical | Not recommended without established tolerance |
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis Capsules
Common capsule questions answered.
Are Cannabis Capsules Stronger Than Regular Edibles?
At equal doses, capsules and edibles produce similar effects since both are processed through digestion. The difference is consistency — a capsule with 10mg MCT oil delivers the same dose every time, while a baked good may have uneven distribution. MCT oil in capsules may absorb slightly faster than fat-bound THC in baked goods, but the difference is modest.
Can Cannabis Capsules Be Vegan?
Yes. Standard gelatin capsules are made from animal collagen. HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) capsules are plant-derived and fully vegan. They are widely available online in the same sizes as gelatin capsules and work identically for cannabis oil filling. Look for "vegetarian capsules" or "HPMC capsules" when ordering.
How Long Do Cannabis Capsules Take to Work?
Cannabis capsules typically take 45 minutes to 2 hours to onset, similar to other edibles. MCT oil capsules may absorb slightly faster than food-based edibles because MCT is rapidly processed by the liver. Taking capsules on an empty stomach speeds onset. On a full stomach, allow up to 2 hours. Never re-dose before 2 hours have passed.
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Safety Shortcut
If you are reading about dose mistakes or a batch that feels too strong, use the dedicated safety page instead of guessing your next step while stressed.