I ran across this while looking for easy ways to medicate in public situations where smoking would not be appropriate. There are numerous web sites that recite this formula. I have made these and they do work very well for me and my husband.

One half ounce of dried and cleaned marijuana ground to fine powder in a small coffee grinder equals about one half cup of powder.

Set the half-cup of green powder by the stove.

Use a very small saucepan. Add 3 or 4 tablespoons of unprocessed virgin coconut oil, olive oil or canola oil. Set burner on medium, and use a candy thermometer (up to 400 degrees) to bring the oil to a temperature of 300 degrees. Note: the temperature of heated oil generally rises about 25 degrees after being removed from medium stove heat, so remove from stove at about 325, then wait a moment until the temperature peaks and begins to fall.

When the oil reaches 350 degrees add the entire half-cup of powder all at once. The oil will sizzle slightly as the reaction takes place. Stir thoroughly, making sure that the powder and oil are completely mixed. (Do not use thermometer for stirring because it might break.)

If the mixture is not pasty, then carefully add more green powder or oil. (Only use enough oil to saturate the green powder to a dark green paste. Too much oil makes messy pills-too little, and the cannabis compounds will burn instead of bonding to the fat content of the oil.)

Mix thoroughly, then return to burner on medium heat. Watch the temperature. Continue mixing until the paste looks more oily at about 300 to 325 degrees. Those who have used non-smoking marijuana vaporizers will recognize the smell of vapor trails that rise at 300 to 325 degrees. As soon as the vapor trails appear strongly, remove from heat and mix, then set aside to cool. (Accurate temperature control is most important.

After heating, the paste should still be about the same color. If the paste has turned rich brown instead of dark green, the product was overheated and the majority of medicinal compounds were lost.)

Let the paste cool below 100 degrees before packing into gelatin capsules using standard herbal gel cap machines available for under $20 at most health food stores.

This recipe makes about 50 of the large size gelatin capsules. Do not use vegetarian gel caps that can melt from exposure to vegetable oils. Pills stored in a freezer will maintain potency for many months.

Common doses are in the range of 2 to 5 pills, depending on the quality of the marijuana used and the patient's personal use.

I have found the best results are obtained when pills are taken just before dinner as therapeutic effects manifest more fully during periods of relaxation and limited activity.