Cannabis Capsules or Caps: A Simple Form of Cannabis Use That Is Becoming Fashionable

There are many ways of enjoying marijuana to the fullest extent of its possibilities and effects. While smoking is the best-known and most widespread technique, one must not overlook alternative uses. These include the capsules or caps, thanks to which one can orally ingest marijuana without an extra intake of calories or unwanted ingredients.

The advantages they involve are various: they are easy to dose; our bodies metabolise them optimally; and they are ideal for those who want to use cannabis discreetly. Moreover, they are also easy to prepare safely and inexpensively at home. It is therefore hardly surprising that they have managed to find a promising niche in the cannabis industry.

'Canna Cap' Preparation

For those unwilling to do without the caps, here is a simple home-making recipe. First of all, one must establish the dosage, which depends on three variables: the potency of the herb, the ratio of oil ratio and the decarboxylation (the chemical reaction whereby the carboxyl group is eliminated as CO2). It is important in this regard to take into account that capsules are more potent when made from buds than from trimmings.

The preparation of some 40 capsules requires cannabis (7-14 grams), ¼ cup of coconut oil and half a teaspoonful of soy lecithin. The tools needed are an oven, empty gelatine capsules, a capsule filling machine, a syringe, a pot, a bowl, a baking tray and parchment paper for baking.

The first step consists in decarboxylating the cannabis, for which purpose the oven must be preheated at 220 °C. Meanwhile, one must grind the marijuana with the grinder so that it becomes loose and easy to handle, without large pieces. Once ground, it is then to be spread on a sheet of parchment paper, which is then placed in an oven. It is very important here that the temperature not exceed 250 °C. Bake the material for some 40 minutes so as to achieve decarboxylation.

Then place a bowl containing the coconut oil and soy lecithin slightly above the boiling water in the pot. After a few minutes, these ingredients will melt and mix. It is then that one must add the decarboxylated cannabis and generate a homogenous liquid. Next, empty the water-filled pot, fill it with the mixture and keep it in the oven at 220 °C for at least two hours.

After this, remove the mixture and pour it into the bowl. It is necessary to let it cool, as gelatine capsules tend to melt at temperatures of more than 100 °C. The temperature, however, must remain high enough for the mixture to retain its liquid state.

Finally, the syringe should be used to fill the capsules with the syringe and close them with the machine. One this is over, they can be stored in the refrigerator or any other cool, dark place until they are ready for us to taste the results.