RSO, short for Rick Simpson Oil, has been one of the most talked-about cannabis extracts in the world. Behind this full-spectrum oil is a story that goes much deeper than most consumers realize. This is not just about an oil. It’s about a man, a movement, and plant medicine that continues to shift how people experience cannabis. Whether you’re new to cannabis or a longtime medical patient, understanding the origin of RSO may help you understand why people still swear by it today, and why we’ve crafted our own version!
The Man Behind the Oil: Rick Simpson
Rick Simpson’s journey into cannabis oil began years before it was ever recognized by dispensaries or wellness circles. In 1997, while working as an engineer at a hospital in Nova Scotia, he was asked to insulate asbestos-lined pipes using a strong industrial adhesive. The fumes overwhelmed him, causing a fall that led to a serious head injury. From that moment forward, Rick suffered from persistent symptoms including dizziness, balance issues, and ringing in his ears. The medications prescribed to him not only failed to relieve his symptoms but also left him feeling disconnected and mentally foggy.
After watching a documentary on medical marijuana, he became curious about cannabis as a possible alternative. Though his doctor dismissed the idea of using cannabis as medicine, Rick began researching and eventually created his own oil by extracting cannabinoids from homegrown marijuana. He discovered that taking small doses of this oil gave him greater relief than anything he had been prescribed.
navigating Skin Cancer and Self-Treatment
His life took another dramatic turn in 2003 when he was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma. In 1975, researchers from the National Cancer Institute published a study showing that cannabinoids like THC and CBN slowed tumor growth in mice. Rick later referenced this study as a scientific justification for experimenting with high-dose cannabis oil to treat his own cancer. This pivotal piece of research laid the foundation for Simpson’s belief in the therapeutic potential of cannabis.
After reading the study, Rick decided to try his homemade oil externally. He applied it directly to the cancerous lesions on his skin and covered them with bandages. Within days, he claimed, the lesions had disappeared. Though his physician refused to explore cannabis as a cause for the change, the experience solidified Rick’s belief that this oil could help others just as it had helped him.
The Rise of RSO: From Home Remedy to Movement
Instead of trying to commercialize the oil or patent the process, Rick began producing larger amounts and giving it away to people suffering from chronic pain, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and other debilitating conditions. His goal was to empower patients to make the oil themselves and take charge of their own healing. This grassroots effort quickly gained momentum, and his home became a hub for people seeking relief.
Between 2004 and 2009, Rick faced repeated raids from Canadian law enforcement. His cannabis plants and oil were seized, and he was brought to court. But he was never convicted. Many of the people he had helped testified that they had received the oil at no cost and that it had improved their quality of life.
In 2008, Rick released a self-produced documentary titled Run from the Cure, which detailed his story and showed others how to make the oil. The film was shared widely and helped his message reach a global audience. He later published written instructions and made his methods publicly available online. Over time, these materials were translated into more than seventy languages, spreading his philosophy far beyond Canada and into homes and hospitals across the world.
Eventually, Rick relocated to Europe to continue his work in a place with fewer legal restrictions. Even after suffering a stroke in 2018, his influence has not faded. Today, Rick Simpson Oil is a recognized term in the cannabis world, and his commitment to free access, transparency, and whole-plant medicine has inspired patients, caregivers, and advocates for more than two decades.
What RSO Really Is
Rick Simpson Oil is a highly concentrated, full spectrum cannabis extract that preserves the naturally occurring compounds the plant offers, including cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other phytochemicals. In contrast to refined products like CBD isolates or THC distillates, RSO retains the full profile of plant compounds to achieve the entourage effect, where these elements work together to enhance therapeutic outcomes beyond what any single compound could achieve alone.
RSO is traditionally produced using a solvent such as food grade ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. The plant material is soaked, then filtered, and the solvent is evaporated, leaving behind a thick concentrated oil. The result is a potent extract that often contains more than 60 percent THC, and in many cases, reaches concentrations as high as 80 or 90 percent in small batch or homemade versions. This strength is one of the reasons RSO is often sought after by patients dealing with severe or persistent symptoms that other cannabis products may not fully address.
The most common way to use RSO is orally, in extremely small doses about the size of a grain of rice. It can also be taken sublingually, where it is placed under the tongue and allowed to absorb more slowly into the bloodstream. This method provides a longer-lasting and steadier effect compared to smoking or vaping. Some patients apply RSO topically, particularly for localized pain or skin conditions, which allows them to avoid psychoactive effects while still receiving relief through targeted application.
The entourage effect is at the heart of what makes RSO so distinct. Cannabis contains hundreds of chemical compounds, and many researchers now believe that the synergistic relationship between cannabinoids and terpenes is critical to achieving the plant’s full therapeutic potential. For example, CBD may help modulate THC’s intensity, while terpenes like myrcene, pinene, or caryophyllene can offer anti-inflammatory or neuroprotective benefits. However, these compounds do not act alone. They interact with each other in ways that can profoundly influence how the body receives and processes them.
Scientific interest in this synergy is growing. Some recent research shows that full spectrum extracts often perform better than isolated cannabinoids in reducing pain, anxiety, and inflammation in preclinical studies. Anecdotal reports from patients have long supported this idea, and RSO’s composition as a whole plant extract continues to reinforce that nature may hold more value than science on its own.
Despite its potency, RSO is often described as more tolerable than inhaled cannabis. Many people managing chronic conditions report that the slow, steady onset of effects helps them maintain consistent relief without the fluctuations or side effects often associated with smoking or edibles. This combination of strength, spectrum, and versatility is what continues to set RSO apart as a cornerstone of serious cannabis therapy.
The Ongoing Impact and Modern Use
Today, RSO is available in licensed dispensaries across legal cannabis markets, though often with some variation from the original homemade methods.
While the scientific community is still catching up, patients continue to report success with RSO for managing cancer symptoms, chronic pain, insomnia, seizures, inflammation, and PTSD. What began as a personal solution has grown into a respected part of modern cannabis medicine, blending anecdotal evidence with growing interest from researchers and clinicians alike.
RSO’s reputation is built on more than effects. It’s built on trust and on the idea that people deserve access to real plant-based healing.
Rick Simpson’s Legacy
Rick Simpson may not appear in cannabis brand commercials or celebrity panels, but his legacy is undeniable. By stepping outside the medical system and choosing transparency over profit, he helped lay the foundation for much of what the legal cannabis space now embraces: patient-first care, whole-plant medicine, and DIY empowerment.
Even after suffering a stroke in 2018, Rick’s teachings remain active through online communities, archived interviews, and patient testimonials. His decision to walk away from commercial fame and instead focus on education created a ripple effect that still moves through cannabis circles today.
The story of RSO isn’t just about cannabis. It’s about taking control of your own healing. It’s about challenging systems that fail to listen. And it’s about honoring the people who risked everything to bring powerful plant medicine to those in need.
Whether you’re exploring cannabis for relief, for recovery, or for resilience, RSO remains a symbol of what’s possible when passion meets purpose.
