What Is RSO Oil? A Guide to Rick Simpson Oil
RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) is a full-spectrum cannabis extract pulled with a solvent, usually ethanol (food-grade alcohol). What you're left with is a dark brown to black oil carrying the full cast of cannabinoids, terpenes, plant waxes, and chlorophyll straight from the starting material.
What Is RSO?
RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) is a full-spectrum cannabis extract pulled with a solvent, usually ethanol (food-grade alcohol). What you're left with is a dark brown to black oil carrying the full cast of cannabinoids, terpenes, plant waxes, and chlorophyll straight from the starting material.
Where distillate strips things down to specific cannabinoids and live rosin leans on heat and pressure, RSO does the opposite on purpose: it keeps everything. The thinking is that the whole crew of plant compounds works better as a team than any one of them alone.
That dark color and thick body are your tells that you've got a true full-spectrum extract. Clear or golden oils have been refined and had compounds pulled out.
History and Philosophy
Rick Simpson, a Canadian activist, started making cannabis oil in 2003 for his own medical use. He gave the method away freely, and it took off across medical and therapeutic cannabis circles. His belief was simple: whole-plant, full-spectrum extraction does more good than any isolated cannabinoid.
Peer-reviewed research stacking RSO against other extraction methods is still thin, but the anecdotal backing from medical users runs deep. Plenty of people in the therapeutic community are convinced full-spectrum beats isolates for certain conditions.
These days RSO leans heavily toward people chasing therapeutic relief rather than a recreational buzz.
How RSO is Made
RSO production involves:
- Starting material: Usually trim, shake, or lower-grade flower (making RSO more affordable than extract from premium flower)
- Solvent extraction: Ethanol or another food-grade alcohol is used to dissolve cannabinoids, terpenes, and plant compounds
- Decarboxylation: The plant material is heated before extraction to convert THCA to THC (making it psychoactive)
- Filtering: Plant material is filtered out
- Solvent evaporation: Ethanol is evaporated, typically using low heat and vacuum
- Final product: A dark, thick oil remains
Because it's whole-plant, RSO holds onto the chlorophyll and waxes that refined extracts throw out. That's where the dark color comes from, and it's the heart of the philosophy: nothing worth keeping gets tossed.
Consumption Methods
Here's what sets RSO apart: it isn't built for smoking or vaping like most concentrates. The usual ways to take it:
Oral Ingestion (Most Common):
- A small amount (rice-grain to pea-sized) is swallowed or placed under the tongue
- Acts like an edible - takes 1-2 hours to onset, lasts 6-12 hours
- Dosing is typically measured in small amounts (25-50mg THC per dose)
- Many people take it at night or when they have a full day clear
On Capsules:
- RSO is placed in empty gelatin capsules for discreet, portable dosing
- Easier to dose precisely than measuring from a syringe
- Takes 1-2 hours to onset like oral ingestion
Topical Application:
- Applied directly to skin, usually for localized relief
- Most RSO remains on the surface and doesn't create intoxication
- Works similarly to cannabis balms
Sublingual (Under the Tongue):
- Placed under the tongue for absorption through sublingual tissue
- Faster onset than swallowing (30-45 minutes)
- Some cannabinoids absorb directly into the bloodstream this way
In Food:
- Mixed into fat-based foods (peanut butter, coconut oil, butter)
- Works like an edible with standard edible timing
Most people take RSO orally, since that's where you get the fullest absorption and the longest ride.
Dosing RSO
Dosing RSO is its own animal, because the stuff is seriously concentrated.
Typical starting dose: 25mg THC (a rice-grain or small pea-sized amount)
Standard therapeutic doses: 50-100mg THC, sometimes higher for specific conditions
Heavy users: May take 200mg+ THC per dose
One syringe of RSO (usually 1 gram) packs 500-900mg THC, so a dab the size of a rice grain carries real weight.
Same rule as always: start low, go slow. With RSO it matters even more, because the 1-2 hour oral onset makes it dangerously easy to redose before the first dose has even shown up.
Who Uses RSO?
RSO pulls in a few clear camps:
Therapeutic/Medical Users:
- People seeking full-spectrum cannabis for specific conditions
- Those preferring oral ingestion over smoking
- Users wanting long-lasting effects throughout the day or night
Sleep-Focused Users:
- The long duration and full-spectrum profile makes RSO popular for sleep support
- 50-100mg taken 1-2 hours before bed
High-Tolerance Users:
- RSO is potent and cost-effective for experienced users
- A little goes a long way
Whole-Plant Philosophy Believers:
- People who prefer full-spectrum extracts on principle
- Those skeptical of isolated cannabinoids
RSO vs. Other Extracts
| Extract Type | Spectrum | Onset | Duration | Best For | |---|---|---|---|---| | RSO | Full-spectrum | 1-2 hours oral | 6-12 hours | Therapeutic, sleep, long-lasting relief | | Distillate | Isolated cannabinoids | 5-15 min vape | 2-4 hours | Potency, discretion, immediate effects | | Live Resin | Full-spectrum | 5-15 min dab | 2-4 hours | Flavor, immediate effects | | Tincture | Varies | 15 min-2 hours | 4-8 hours | Precision dosing, discreet |
The split is clear: RSO is built for oral dosing and a long, slow burn, while most other concentrates are built for smoking or vaping and effects that hit right now.
Quality and Testing
Michigan holds RSO to the same testing bar as everything else on the shelf:
- Lab testing for potency (THC/CBD content)
- Pesticide screening
- Microbial testing (no mold or harmful bacteria)
- Residual solvent testing (should be virtually zero)
- Heavy metals screening
Look for RSO with full lab results on hand. Good RSO runs dark, black or very dark brown, with a thick, tar-like pull. If it's clear or runny, you're probably looking at a different product or something over-purified.
RSO at Olswell
We carry RSO from established Michigan producers at all four stores: Adrian, Grand Rapids, Kalkaska, and Traverse City.
RSO usually costs less than premium concentrates like live rosin, which keeps it within reach for therapeutic users. First-time customers get 25% off everything, RSO included. Tell our team you're new to it and we'll walk you through dosing and methods so you start safe. Gotchu.
FAQ
Q: Is RSO psychoactive? A: Yes. Most RSO is decarboxylated, turning THCA into THC, so it'll get you there. CBD-heavy RSO exists, but it's the exception, not the rule.
Q: Can I vape RSO? A: Usually not. RSO is too thick and unrefined for most vape pens. A few people warm it in a dab rig, but oral dosing is the standard play.
Q: How long does RSO last? A: Taken orally, RSO typically runs 6-12 hours or more, depending on your dose and your metabolism.
Q: Is RSO more therapeutic than other extracts? A: A lot of users swear by RSO for therapeutic use, but the formal research is still limited. The full-spectrum, whole-plant idea is the draw for the people who prefer it.
Q: Can I make RSO at home? A: Technically yes, the process is legal in Michigan for personal use. But it runs on flammable solvents and carries real safety risk. Commercial RSO is the safer call.
Medical Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Cannabis products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult with a healthcare provider before use.
Related Reading
Learn more about cannabis concentrates and products:
- Complete Cannabis Products Guide
- Live Rosin vs Live Resin Explained
- RSO and Tinctures at Olswell Traverse City
Age Disclaimer: For adults 21 and older only. Must present valid government-issued photo ID. Please consume responsibly.
