Capsule

A capsule is a pre-measured oral cannabis dose presented either as a softgel (a seamless one-piece gelatin or plant-cellulose shell filled with cannabinoid-infused oil) or a two-piece hard capsule (HPMC or gelatin halves filled with oil or powder). Typical carrier oils include MCT, olive, sesame, or hemp seed oil; some formulations use micellar or liposomal systems to improve absorption. Capsules deliver the most precise dosing of any edible format — typically within ±5% — and are tasteless, discreet, portable, and pharmaceutical in appearance, making them the preferred format for many medical patients. Typical strengths range from 2.5 to 25mg per capsule, with microdose (2.5–5mg) and high-dose medical (25–100mg, often CBD-dominant) options both widely available. Functionally a capsule is identical to any other oral edible: the cannabinoid is swallowed, absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and subjected to first-pass hepatic metabolism. Onset is generally 30–120 minutes and duration 4–8 hours; extended-release formulations can push duration to 8–12 hours. Some lipid-formulation research suggests long-chain triglyceride carriers (e.g., sesame oil) may outperform MCT for systemic exposure, though MCT remains dominant for its stability and neutral taste. → See also: Edible, Oil (consumable), onset (Part 5). ---