Rosin that’s visually unappealing, unworkable or undesirable in texture/consistency, or uninspiring in terms of terpene expression might be a good candidate for the rosin capsule experience.  

THCA is the acid form of the THC molecule. When we dab rosin, the high heat required for vaporization instantly transforms the acid form of the molecule to the non-acid, sidestepping the need for a decarboxylation process.

But in capsule form we need to first decarb the rosin, otherwise we’ll ingest the concentrate to no effect. Through decarboxylation we make rosin bioavailable via our digestive tract.  

Decarbing is a simple process. All we need to do is expose our rosin to temperatures between 230-250 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-90 minutes. 

An oven is the easiest solution in many situations. Use a small mason jar filled with your rosin and place it in the oven, no lid, for 30 mins. After 30 mins, check to see if it’s bubbling and if so give it a stir.

Keep going until the rosin stops bubbling. Bubbles signify that decarboxylation is actively taking place. When the carboxyl group falls off the THCA molecules it releases carbon dioxide as a byproduct, which forms bubbles in the rosin. When the bubbles stop, that’s your signal that the decarboxylation process is complete. 

Infusion

Now that your rosin is in a bioavailable form for making capsules, we can move to the next step in the process. While the rosin is technically bioavailable, we can’t eat a mouthful and expect to get high. We need to infuse the rosin into coconut (MCT) oil where it binds with fatty acids that properly introduce it to our digestive system. 

In short: decarbing prepares our rosin, then we use rosin to infuse the carrier oil. The fatty molecules within our carrier oil enable rosin’s active ingredients to bind with our bodies’ endocannabinoid system, delivering the desired therapeutic effect. 

Mix 1 part rosin to 10 parts coconut (MCT) oil and stir over low heat for 60-90 minutes. Be careful not to let the oil and rosin mixture simmer. 

Once the rosin is fully infused in the MCT oil, let it cool off fully. This is the time to test for potency. Use your syringe to take small amounts of oil and wait 45 mins to fully gauge the effect. 

A moderate estimate  is .1g of oil per capsule. Start with this amount and see how it settles in for you. 

Now that you have a sense of the potency of your infused MCT oil, on to the next step - filling the capsules. 

The rice will hold the capsules in place while you use the syringe to fill to fill them. This is a nice workaround, but a capsule filling machine is ideal. 

Avoid overfilling the capsules as this can lead to splitting the caps open while fitting the two halves back together. Secure the top half of the capsules by pressing down firmly. A tight seal prevents leakage while the rosin caps are in storage.  

Storage

Keep the capsules in a sealed mason jar in the refrigerator for long-term storage. Leakage may occur as the capsules sometimes dissolve and degrade over time. By keeping the caps in a glass jar and chilling the oil to make it less runny, you’ll minimize the downside. 

Conclusion

Rosin caps can offer a refreshing change of pace within your cannabis routine and give you a new way to enjoy the therapeutic effects of your rosin. The kind of high you get from ingesting capsules is noticeably different than what traditional dabs deliver.

And, if you don’t want to repurpose your rosin to make caps, you can always use your leftover rosin pucks to infuse MCT oil. See our article What To Do with Rosin Pucks for some pointers.  

Read our article about rosin pucks here. 

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is MCT oil?
MCT oil is sourced from coconuts and contains medium-length chains of fats called triglycerides.

Do you have to decarb rosin before making MCT oil caps?
Yes, it's a good idea to decarb rosin before infusing MCT oil. 230-250 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-90 minutes is a good target for decarbing.

What is an infusion?
When cannabis is soaked in another substance, normally oil or butter, so that the cannabinoids are transferred into the oil so that it can be absorbed by the body when eaten. 

What size capsules should you use for rosin MCT oil caps?
00 capsules are a good size for MCT oil caps. 

How much oil should you put in rosin MCT oil caps?
Enough oil to fill the caps, but not too much so that excess oil is squeezed out when the two sides of the capsules are pushed together to securely close.