What is cannabis RSO?
Cannabis RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) is a thick, dark cannabis extract made by soaking plant material in a solvent, then evaporating that solvent off. The finished oil holds a wide spread of the plant's compounds: THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids.
The name comes from Rick Simpson, a Canadian who publicized the method in the mid-2000s. RSO is known for two things: a heavy THC load and a bitter, tar-like taste.
Weed RSO Oil: What It Is and How It Compares to CBD
How is RSO made?
Dried flower goes into a jar with a solvent, often ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. Cannabinoids and waxes dissolve into the liquid over hours or days.
The mix is filtered, then heated to boil the solvent away. What stays behind is a sticky paste that firms up in the cold.
Cannabis RSO Oil Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Why the solvent choice matters
Food-grade ethanol leaves a cleaner residue than hardware-store alcohol, and careful makers pay the extra cost for that reason. Weak purging leaves solvent in the oil, which is a real safety risk.
How does RSO differ from CBD oil?
RSO made from marijuana carries a lot of THC. Hemp CBD oil, the kind sold in shops and online, comes from hemp and stays under the 0.3% THC cap set by US law.
- Source: marijuana flower for RSO, hemp for CBD oil.
- THC level: high in RSO, 0.3% or less in hemp CBD oil.
- Texture: thick paste for RSO, thin liquid for CBD oil.
- Usual use: RSO by mouth in small amounts, CBD oil under the tongue or stirred into a drink.
How do people use RSO?
RSO is eaten, not smoked. The oil is too thick for a vape pen, and leftover solvent makes inhaling it a bad plan.
Most users squeeze a rice-grain portion onto food, into an empty capsule, or under the tongue. New users start small, since swallowed THC hits harder and lasts longer than smoked flower.
How much RSO should a beginner take?
There is no standard dose. Common advice starts at one rice-grain amount per day and adjusts after a few days. Ask a doctor before using RSO for any health condition.
What does RSO look like in the package?
Legal RSO comes in a plastic oral syringe, which lets you push out a small measured bead of oil. The color runs from deep amber to near black, and the texture sits between honey and tar.
What are the risks of RSO?
The THC dose is the main issue. A portion that looks tiny can still be strong for someone with no tolerance.
- Dry mouth and red eyes
- Drowsiness and slowed coordination
- Anxiety or a racing heart at high doses
- Impaired driving for several hours
- Dependence with daily use over time
Start low, wait two hours before taking more, and skip driving for the rest of the day.
How does RSO compare to distillate and shatter?
Distillate is a refined product built around one cannabinoid, most often THC, with waxes and most plant compounds stripped out. RSO keeps the full plant profile, so it brings more flavor and more ballast.
Shatter and wax are made for dabbing. RSO is made for eating.
Does RSO cure cancer?
No. The cancer claims around RSO rest on anecdotes, not clinical trials. Lab studies of cannabinoids and tumor cells exist, but they do not show that RSO treats cancer in people.
Anyone using RSO alongside cancer care should tell the oncology team. THC can interact with other drugs, including some treatments.
What should you check before buying RSO?
Ask for a batch-specific lab report. A good one lists cannabinoid content plus screens for pesticides, heavy metals, and residual solvents.
Read the THC number as well. Hemp RSO sold as a CBD product can still hold trace THC, and that may show on a drug test.
Is cannabis RSO legal in the US?
RSO made from marijuana is legal only in states with medical or adult-use programs. Federal law still lists marijuana as a controlled substance.
Hemp-derived RSO under 0.3% THC is legal under federal law and ships to most states, though a few states restrict it. Check your state rules before you order.
Frequently asked questions
Does RSO contain CBD?
Yes. Full-extract RSO holds CBD with THC and other cannabinoids, and the ratio follows the plant it came from.
Can you vape RSO?
No. RSO is too thick for a cartridge and may hold solvent residue. Eat it or cap it.
How should you store RSO?
Keep the syringe cool and dark, or in the fridge for long storage. Sealed RSO holds up for months.
Will RSO trigger a drug test?
Yes. THC from RSO stays in the body long enough to show on standard tests. Hemp RSO with any THC carries the same risk.