Cannabis Capsules: Oil vs Powder vs Distillate

Three Types of Cannabis Capsules

Capsules are the most discreet, precise, and long-lasting edible. No taste, no sugar, exact dosing, 12+ month shelf life. Choose oil for ease, powder for full-spectrum, distillate for potency.

Oil-Filled

Fill Cannabis oil (MCT/coconut)

Difficulty Easy

Onset 45-90 min

Potency 5-25mg per cap

Shelf life 12+ months

Cost Low

Best for: Beginners, daily use, easy dosing

EASIEST

Powder-Filled

Fill Decarbed flower powder

Difficulty Medium

Onset 60-120 min

Potency 10-30mg per cap

Shelf life 18+ months

Cost Lowest

Best for: Full-spectrum, long storage, no extraction

FULL SPECTRUM

Distillate

Fill Pure THC/CBD distillate

Difficulty Hard

Onset 30-60 min

Potency 25-100mg per cap

Shelf life 24+ months

Cost High

Best for: High potency, medical, precise dosing

STRONGEST

Capsule Sizes

Size 00 is standard for cannabis. Holds ~0.9ml oil or 0.7g powder.

Size 0

0.68ml

Small, easy to swallow

Size 00

0.91ml

Standard, most common

Size 000

1.37ml

Large, max dose

Size 1

0.48ml

Microdose

Recommendation: Use size 00 gelatin or vegetarian capsules. Gelatin is cheaper and seals better. Vegetarian (HPMC) is vegan but more expensive and can leak with oil.

Oil-Filled Capsules (Easiest)

What You Need

Item	Amount	Notes
Cannabis oil	1 cup	MCT or coconut, ~4000mg THC
Size 00 capsules	100 count	Gelatin recommended
Capsule filling machine	1	$15-20 on Amazon, holds 100 caps
Oral syringe	10ml	For filling
Lecithin	1 tbsp	Optional, improves absorption

Method

1. Make oil

Infuse 7g decarbed flower into 1 cup MCT oil. Strain. Should be ~4000mg THC total (adjust based on flower potency).

2. Warm oil

Warm oil to 100°F (makes it flow better). Add lecithin if using, stir.

3. Load capsules

Separate capsules, place bottoms in filling machine. Use syringe to fill each to 0.9ml (size 00).

4. Cap them

Place tops on, press down firmly. Capsules should snap closed.

5. Store

Store in airtight container in cool dark place. Lasts 12+ months. Refrigerate for longest life.

Dosing Math

Example: 20% THC flower

7g flower = 7000mg THCA
After decarb: ~6100mg THC
After infusion (85%): ~5200mg in oil
Per 1 cup (240ml): 21.7mg/ml
Per 00 cap (0.9ml): ~19.5mg

Adjusting Potency

Weaker (10mg): Use 3.5g flower or dilute oil 1:1 with plain MCT
Stronger (30mg): Use 10g flower or reduce oil to 2/3 cup
Microdose (5mg): Use size 1 caps or dilute heavily

Powder-Filled Capsules (Full Spectrum)

No extraction needed. Just decarb flower, grind to powder, and fill capsules. You get the full plant profile including fiber, chlorophyll, and minor cannabinoids. Most natural method.

Method

1. Decarb

Grind 14g flower coarsely. Decarb at 240°F for 40 minutes.

2. Powder

Grind decarbed flower to fine powder in coffee grinder. Sift through fine mesh to remove stems.

3. Fill

Use capsule machine or fill by hand. Tamp powder down, fill completely. Size 00 holds ~0.5-0.6g powder.

4. Store

Store in airtight container with desiccant pack. Lasts 18+ months.

Potency

Flower Potency	Grams per cap	THC per cap
15% THC	0.55g	~72mg (after decarb loss)
20% THC	0.55g	~96mg
25% THC	0.55g	~120mg

Note: Powder capsules are potent and slow onset (60-120 min) because your body must digest plant material. Start with 1/2 capsule if new. Also, taste is strong if capsule dissolves in mouth - swallow quickly with water.

Distillate Capsules (Most Potent)

Distillate is 85-95% pure THC. No plant material, no flavor, maximum potency in smallest volume. Requires precise heating and handling.

Method

1. Warm distillate

Heat distillate syringe in warm water (120°F) for 5 minutes to make it flow.

2. Mix with carrier

Mix 1g distillate (900mg THC) with 9ml warm MCT oil. This makes 10ml @ 90mg/ml. Stir thoroughly.

3. Fill capsules

Using syringe, fill size 00 capsules with 0.5ml each = 45mg THC per cap. Work quickly before mixture cools.

4. Seal and store

Cap immediately. Store in fridge to prevent leaking. Lasts 24+ months.

Advantage: 1g distillate makes ~20 capsules at 45mg each. Extremely potent, no cannabis taste, fast onset (30-60 min), and very long shelf life.

Dosing and Bioavailability

Type	Onset	Peak	Duration	Bioavailability
Oil-filled	45-90 min	2-3 hrs	6-8 hrs	10-15%
Oil + lecithin	30-60 min	1.5-2 hrs	6-8 hrs	15-20%
Powder	60-120 min	3-4 hrs	8-10 hrs	8-12%
Distillate	30-60 min	1.5-2 hrs	5-7 hrs	15-20%

Tips for Best Results

Take with Fat

Always take capsules with food containing fat
Increases absorption 2-3x
Peanut butter, avocado, or full meal
Empty stomach = weaker, slower effects

Storage

Cool, dark, airtight container
Add desiccant pack for powder caps
Refrigerate oil caps in summer
Label with date and potency

Avoid Leaks

Don't overfill (leave 1mm space)
Press caps firmly until click
Store upright
Use gelatin not veggie for oil