For over a decade, Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) has been getting much attention online and from cannabis advocates. Simpson was a pioneer in cannabis medicine and has become a household name in the cannabis space because of the work he’s done to help patients with cancer, as well as his activism. In this article, we discuss who Rick Simpson is, what RSO is, how it’s made, and its benefits.
Who Is Rick Simpson?
According to his website, Rick Simpson is a former Candian power engineer of 25 years who suffered a severe head injury in 1997. Simpson was prescribed a cocktail of pharmaceutical medications that left him with damaging side effects. This led Simpson to seek natural alternatives, and eventually, he discovered the healing properties of cannabis. In 2003, Simpson discovered he had a rare form of skin cancer and used cannabis extract to self treat it. He developed his extract oil himself in his home, using cannabis flower he grew himself.
Simpson found that the oil he made seemingly eliminated his skin cancer, on top of the side effects from his previous head injury. Because of his desire to share the healing power of cannabis with the world, he launched a website in 2004 that gave step-by-step instructions on how to develop his oil. He also gave the oil away for free to many people seeking to treat their conditions with natural remedies. Rick and his wife Danijela have been active for many years in the cannabis movement to help others find relief with cannabis medicine.
Rick never branded RSO, patented its process, or made any money from the sale of the oil. He wrote two books about cannabis medicine under his Simpson Ramadur publishing company and gave countless speeches, lectures, and interviews on RSO. Rick continued giving oil away for free and educating people about cannabis medicine up until Royal Candian Mounted Police raided his home in 2013.
What is RSO & How is it Made?
RSO is a cannabis oil extract. RSO is an abbreviation of Rick Simpson oil. There are many cannabis oils on the market today, with CBD likely being the most popular. Unlike CBD oil, RSO has a high THC content, with low levels of CBD as well as other cannabinoids.
THC is the cannabinoid found in cannabis that produces the “high” but has also shown much promise for medical benefits. Former cancer patients who have used RSO say that this particular formula of cannabis oil, featuring a high THC content works better than other cannabis oils, such as CBD.
To make RSO, cannabis flower is crushed up and then washed with a solvent in a bucket or another washing vessel. Simpson’s website provides extensive instructions on how to wash the materials and eventually end up with medicinal resins that are many times stronger than the source plant material. The solvent and pre-extract liquid is then placed in a device such as a rice cooker to boil the solvent, which occurs at around 300 degrees F. Simpson’s instructions say that the entire process takes about 3-4 hours to complete and that the remaining oil has a shelf life of a few years.
The Simpson Ramadur website says that RSO got its name from the late great cannabis activist and author Jack Herer, who coined the term. Because of its high THC content, RSO is illegal in U.S. states that don’t have active recreational markets or medicinal programs. However, you can find high-quality RSO right here at a Sarasota, Florida Cannabis Dispensary.
Are There Any Other Benefits of RSO?
As with other aspects of medical cannabis, there’s a lack of definitive evidence as to whether RSO is a cure for cancer or any other ailments or conditions. As cannabis policy and legalization advances in the U.S., more research will be done. This research will likely result in solid evidence for cannabis medicine being a treatment of many other conditions, not just skin cancer like RSO. Products like RSO may assist with managing pain and other symptoms.
Budtenders at a Sarasota, Florida Cannabis Dispensary will be happy to answer your questions about RSO and other cannabis products