THC Pills & Capsules: What Are They & How Do They Work?

For cannabis enthusiasts who want to avoid smoking, vaping, or dabbing, there are plenty of options available, and one of those options is THC pills. These capsules can contain a single cannabinoid or a multitude of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. In this guide, we’ll teach you all about cannabis capsules, answering the questions:

• What Are THC Pills& Capsules?
• What are the Different Types of THC Pills & Capsules?
• What’s in THC Pills & Capsules?
• How Do THC Pills & Capsules Work?
• How Long Do THC Pills & Capsules Take to Work?
• THC Pills vs Edibles: What’s the Difference?
• FAQs About Cannabis Pills & Capsules
  
  

THC pills and capsules are cannabis in pill form. While they may be called THC pills, they can contain a whole variety of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, depending on whether they contain a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum formulation. These capsules and pills can also, in the case of distillates and crystalline, contain a single cannabinoid.

Beyond what THC pills and capsules contain, they also come in different potencies, making them perfect whether you’re microdosing THC or just relaxing after a day at work. With so many options, you’re likely to find a THC pill that suits your cannabis preferences.

If you’ve seen the wide selection of products available at your favorite dispensary, then you already know that there’s no way there’s only one form of cannabis pill—and you’re right. THC capsules and pills come in all different types, including:

• Ground Flower: If you don’t want to grind your cannabis, pack a bowl, or roll a “joint,” or deal with the clean-up, but you still want to try flower, look no further than a ground flower THC pill. These capsules are packed with ground, decarboxylated flower, so all you have to do is consume them. No grinding, no effort, no clean-up.
  
  

• Distillate: Do you prefer to enjoy a single cannabinoid? Then you’ll want to look for a THC pill that contains a distillate, which is an isolated cannabinoid and one of the most popular marijuana concentrates. If you’re purchasing from a dispensary, you’re likely getting a THC capsule, but there are CBD capsules available in the market, too. Sometimes, these pills will also include terpenes, too, so check your packaging to see what’s in your product and ensure that you’re consuming exactly what you expect.
  
  

• Crystalline: Like distillate, crystalline contains almost pure cannabinoids in a powdered consistency similar to sugar. These marijuana pills and capsules may only come with THCA or CBDA, which are the precursors to THC and CBD. Because THCA and CBDA aren’t decarboxylated, they can create different effects in the body without causing intoxication.
  
  

Not all THC pills and capsules are made the same—they can include a variety of different cannabis products. It’s important to read the packaging or talk to your budtender to ensure that the THC capsule or pill you’re interested in contains the right product you want to consume. Here are three of the most common formulations you can find at your local dispensary:

• Decarboxylated Flower: If you purchase flower off the shelf, you are getting bud that still needs to be decarboxylated. With THC pills and capsules, the flower inside of them is already decarbed, so you can consume it and enjoy the effects without any effort or mess.
  
  
• Isolated Cannabinoids: Some cannabis enthusiasts are only interested in a certain cannabinoid like THC or CBD. There are THC capsules that cater to this interest and contain a distillate. While it’s possible that terpenes are added to the capsule too, in general, THC pills only contain the cannabinoid of choice.  
  
  
• Blends: THC pills can contain a blend of cannabinoids. This blend can be a ratio of THC to CBD, broad-spectrum, or full spectrum. These options allow you to tailor your THC pills to your preference of cannabis formulations. 
  
  

If you’ve ever consumed an edible, you’ll be familiar with how immediate-release THC pills and capsules work. When you consume them, they’re digested in your stomach and absorbed. Then, your liver gets to work, metabolizing the THC. When this happens, you start to feel the effects.

There are also time-release THC capsules and pills available. While the process in the body is very similar, the capsules are created to neutralize our destructive stomach acid. This slows the release of the compounds in the capsule, like THC and CBD, and causes a delayed or longer-lasting effect in the body.

When you consume THC pills and capsules, it’s important to wait a couple of hours before increasing your dose or supplementing it with other cannabis products. This is because they need anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours before you start to feel their effects. That said, if you consume these pills on an empty stomach, they may work faster—within 30 minutes.

While THC pills are considered a type of edible, most people think edibles are a little different from cannabis in pill form. Usually, when we think of edibles, we think of sweet, delectable brownies, chewy gummies, and mouth-watering chocolate. In the case of these common edibles, the biggest difference comes in calorie and sugar content—there is typically no sugar or calories in THC pills.

Curious about THC pills? You’re not alone. Here are just a few of the frequently asked questions our budtenders are answering on the regular.

Are THC pills considered full spectrum or broad spectrum?
The best thing about THC pills is that they come in all varieties, including full and broad spectrum. That said, if you’re looking for broad-spectrum THC pills in a marijuana dispensary, they likely contain some small amount of THC in them.

Do capsules work faster than pills?
Capsules and pills are the same, so neither works faster. That said, if you want your THC pill to work more quickly, consuming it on an empty stomach will allow it to be broken down faster.

Are capsules considered edibles?
Yes, THC capsules are considered edibles.

THC pills are an easy, discrete way to consume cannabis. If you’re interested in trying them, or just ready to replenish your product, stop into your local dispensary. You’ll likely find a wide selection of capsule options available, and of course, if you don’t find what you’re looking for, talk to your budtender.