What Is RSO (Rick Simpson Oil)?




The federal ban on marijuana — whether medical or recreational — limited the studies scientists could implement on the plant. However, the existing research on cannabis and some promising anecdotes give many individuals hope about its medicinal properties.

One of the most widespread stories of self-healing is that of Rick Simpson, the creator of Rick Simpson Oil, more popularly known as RSO oil. According to the medical cannabis activist, the extract cleared the cancer spots on his skin within days.

While the medical world continues to test its effectiveness, this article will discuss what you need to know about this cannabis oil product. Read on to discover why it has become a top choice among medical marijuana patients in the Bay Area of California.

Who Is Rick Simpson?

Before Rick Simpson became famous as an activist and medical marijuana cultivator, he was an engineer in Canada. This profession accidentally gave birth to the RSO oil we know today.

In the late 1990s, he obtained a work-related injury while removing asbestos from a poorly ventilated boiler room at a hospital. The toxic fumes in the area knocked him unconscious. Though he received medical attention immediately, he suffered from dizzy spells and tinnitus for years after the incident.

Afterward, Simpson realized that traditional pain prescriptions and pharmaceuticals weren’t enough to address his unique condition. For this reason, he researched alternative treatments and discovered the power of pot. He eventually grew cannabis in his backyard and later became a pioneer in the medical marijuana community.

In 2003, doctors diagnosed Simpson with basal cell carcinoma — a skin cancer associated with sun exposure. This confirmation led him to further his research on what cannabis can do for the body. The Antineoplastic Activity of Cannabinoids study about Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) destroying mice’s cancer cells inspired him to run more experiments with his plant extracts.

It’s said that he used an early version of RSO oil on his skin, and the spots on his arm disappeared in a few days. Since then, he became a true medical marijuana believer and decided to share his invention with the world. He did not patent his oil or extraction method because he wanted the product to be accessible to those who need it.

RSO Oil: An Overview

RSO oil is a dark, high potency extract derived from cannabis. It contains all the compounds found in the plant, including cannabinoids and terpenes.

Unlike cannabidiol (CBD), RSO oil holds high THC levels, the ingredient responsible for the euphoric feeling or high people associate with weed use.

Extracting RSO oil is a long and complicated process, much like making a tincture. You make it by washing the buds with a solvent like grain alcohol or ethanol and boiling it off to harvest the oil. Remember, it’s not a branded product so you will find various versions available online.

Using the whole plant to develop RSO oil is an acquired taste, like a vegetable smoothie. You might get a hint of floral notes and some bitterness from the resin. However, the strong flavor is worth it because cannabis believers claim it can cure the following conditions, aside from cancer:

• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Back pain
• Chronic inflammation
• Depression
• High blood pressure
• Multiple sclerosis

It’s legal for individuals with a medical cannabis card to buy RSO oil from a San Francisco, CA dispensary. However, because of its high THC content, consumers cannot find it on the menu in some states.

We can likely expect more studies on RSO oil soon.

Shop RSO Oil From The Apothecarium Dispensary

Are you looking for an alternative treatment for cancer, high blood pressure, chronic inflammation, and other related conditions?

At The Apothecarium Dispensary, we can help you determine if RSO oil is a viable solution for you. We’re here to help clients from our stores including: Castro dispensary, Berkeley dispensary, Marina dispensary, SoMa dispensary, and Capitola dispensary through world-class patient education and care.

Get in touch with our specialists now to learn how our store can enhance your medical marijuana journey.