What Is RSO Oil? A Guide to Rick Simpson Oil

What makes RSO different

RSO keeps nearly everything from the starting plant: cannabinoids, terpenes, plant waxes, and chlorophyll. That is where the dark brown to black color comes from. Distillate, by contrast, isolates cannabinoids into a clear or golden oil, and live rosin uses heat and pressure to press out the resin. RSO goes the other way, on the idea that the whole plant works together.

A short history

Rick Simpson made the oil for himself and shared his method widely. He made claims about its health benefits. Those are his claims, not established medical findings, and research on RSO in particular is limited. If you have a health question, talk to a healthcare provider.

How RSO is made

1. Start with plant material, such as flower, trim, or shake.
2. Decarboxylate it. Heat converts THCA into THC, which makes the oil intoxicating.
3. Dissolve it. Ethanol, a food-grade alcohol, pulls out the cannabinoids and plant compounds.
4. Filter out the plant material.
5. Evaporate the ethanol, usually with low heat and vacuum.
6. What is left is a thick, dark oil.

How do people take RSO?

Most people take RSO by mouth, either swallowed or held under the tongue, and some load it into capsules or mix it into fat-based food. It is usually too thick for vape pens. Because oral RSO is slow to take effect, follow the label dose and wait at least two hours before taking more.

• Swallowed or in capsules: Works like an edible, with a slow start and long-lasting effects.
• Under the tongue: Can come on faster than swallowing, because some of it absorbs through the tissue there.
• In food: Mixed into something fatty, it follows standard edible timing.
• On skin: Most of it stays on the surface, so it is not usually intoxicating that way.

Dosing basics

RSO is concentrated, so follow the dosing information on the label and start with a very small amount. The slow start is the trap: it is easy to take more because you feel nothing yet, and then feel all of it at once. Wait at least two hours before taking more, and do not drive.

If someone takes too much or a child gets into it, call 911 for severe symptoms. The National Poison Control Center is at 1-800-222-1222. Keep RSO out of reach of children and pets.

Who tends to choose RSO

• People who prefer swallowing something over smoking
• People who want long-lasting effects
• Experienced users who are comfortable with potent products
• People who prefer full-spectrum extracts

RSO compared with other extracts

• RSO: full-spectrum, usually taken by mouth, long-lasting
• Distillate: isolated cannabinoids, often vaped, with little natural terpene flavor
• Live resin: fresh-frozen start, solvent-based, usually dabbed or vaped
• Live rosin: fresh-frozen start, solventless, usually dabbed or vaped
• Tincture: a liquid extract taken in drops, with strength that varies by product

Our live rosin vs. live resin guide and cannabis products guide cover the rest.

Quality and testing

Michigan requires products sold at licensed stores to be tested by state-licensed labs. Ask the budtender what testing information is available for the product you are considering, and read the label for the THC content, batch number, and dosing instructions. The label guide explains each one.

Finding RSO at Olswell

RSO is a concentrate, so look in the concentrates category on your store's live menu, and ask the budtender whether any is on the shelf. Inventory rotates by store. Olswell staff can explain how products are taken and what the label says, but they are not physicians and cannot give health advice.

Check your store's live menu and order for pickup: Adrian, Grand Rapids, Traverse City, or Kalkaska. Orders are held until the end of the business day. First-time customers get a quarter off their first visit.

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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.

Age Disclaimer: For adults 21 and older only. Must present valid government-issued photo ID. Please consume responsibly.