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Dry Herb Vaporizers: How They Work What Is RSO? Rick Simpson Oil Guide
RSO — Rick Simpson Oil — is one of the most distinctive products on a dispensary menu: a thick, dark, viscous cannabis oil that comes in a syringe, servingd in tiny grain-of-rice amounts. It’s named after Rick Simpson, a Canadian who began producing it in the early 2000s. Here’s what RSO actually is, how it’s used, and what makes it different from other cannabis concentrates.
Key Details
Where RSO Came From
Rick Simpson was a Canadian engineer who began producing cannabis oil in 2003. He developed a simple solvent-based extraction technique using flammable solvents (originally naphtha, later high-proof alcohol) to dissolve cannabis resin into a concentrated oil.
Simpson distributed his oil for free in his community and published the production method online. The technique spread, and ‘RSO’ (Rick Simpson Oil) became the generic name for any whole-plant cannabis oil produced via solvent extraction in this style.
The original RSO recipe wasn’t designed for commercial production — it was a simple, low-cost method anyone could replicate at home. Today, dispensaries sell professionally-made RSO using safer solvents (typically food-grade alcohol or supercritical CO2) under the same name.
What’s in Modern Dispensary RSO
Modern RSO sold at licensed dispensaries is full-spectrum cannabis oil — meaning it contains the full range of cannabinoids (THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, etc.) and terpenes from the source flower.
The ‘full spectrum’ nature is what differentiates RSO from distillate or isolate. Distillate is highly refined to near-pure THC; RSO retains the broader plant chemistry.
Potency typically runs 60–90% total cannabinoids by weight. THC dominates in most products, but CBD-rich and 1:1 THC:CBD RSO products are also widely available.
How to serving RSO
Standard recommended serving: a piece of oil the size of a grain of rice. That’s roughly 25mg of total oil. At 70% THC, that’s around 17–18mg of THC per serving — a meaningful edible serving.
Apply the oil from the syringe directly into your mouth (under the tongue for partial sublingual absorption) or onto food.
For new consumers: cut the rice-grain serving in half. Start at 5–10mg total THC and adjust from there.
Onset is edible-style: 30–90 minutes. Effects last 4–8 hours. Treat RSO like any other edible — be patient with onset, don’t reserving early.
Common Uses for RSO
Oral consumption: most common. Apply directly into the mouth or take in capsules. Effects are similar to a high-potency edible.
Mixing into food: RSO can be added to chocolate, butter, oil, honey, or other vehicles to spread the serving into a recipe. It’s the easiest way to make a homemade edible from a controlled cannabis serving.
Topical application: applied directly to skin. Some consumers prefer this for localized application; cannabinoids absorb less efficiently through skin than orally.
Note: RSO is sometimes marketed with medical framing. We don’t make those claims. RSO is a high-potency cannabis edible product. Effects vary; consumer reports vary; it is not a medical treatment for any condition.
RSO vs Other Cannabis Oils
vs Distillate: RSO retains the full plant chemistry; distillate is refined to near-pure THC. RSO is darker and more flavorful; distillate is clear and nearly tasteless.
vs Live Resin: Live resin is extracted from fresh-frozen flower for premium terpene preservation. RSO is extracted from cured flower. Live resin is more flavor-focused; RSO is more about whole-plant content and ease of dosing.
vs Tinctures: Tinctures are alcohol-based liquid extracts you drop under the tongue. RSO is much more viscous and concentrated, servingd in tiny amounts.
Where to Find RSO at Social Dispensary
Social carries RSO in multiple potency tiers — including high-THC, CBD-rich, and 1:1 ratios — from leading Colorado producers. Ask your budtender for current options. RSO is typically sold in a 1g needleless syringe with markings to help measure precise servings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does RSO stand for?
Rick Simpson Oil. It’s named after Rick Simpson, a Canadian who developed and popularized the original whole-plant cannabis oil extraction method starting in 2003.
How much RSO should I take?
Standard serving is rice-grain sized — about 25mg of oil total. New consumers should start with half that and increase only after seeing how it affects them.
Is RSO safer than other concentrates?
Modern dispensary RSO is produced with food-grade solvents and lab-tested for residual solvents and contaminants. The original Rick Simpson method used naphtha (industrial solvent), which is not safe — never use that recipe at home.
How long does RSO take to kick in?
Edible-style onset: 30–90 minutes. Effects peak 2–4 hours after consumption and last 4–8 hours. Don’t reserving before 90 minutes.
Can you smoke RSO?
Technically you can dab RSO, but it’s not the intended use. RSO is too viscous and contains residual plant material that doesn’t vaporize cleanly. Use distillate, live resin, or shatter for dabbing. Use RSO orally.
Related Reading
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Educational content for adults 21 and over. This article is informational and is not medical advice. Cannabis affects everyone differently. Statements about cannabis on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Cannabis is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, talk with a licensed healthcare provider before using cannabis. Do not drive or operate machinery after consuming. Keep cannabis products away from children and pets.
