RSO: Is Rick Simpson Oil Making a Comeback in the 518?

If you’ve been hitting cannabis pop-ups around the 518 lately, you might have noticed something making its way back onto the table, and no, I’m not talking about somebody’s old-school glass pipe from 1998. I’m talking about RSO!

Rick Simpson Oil, better known as RSO, seems to be making a serious comeback in the local cannabis scene. At least that’s what I’ve been noticing. About a year ago, I’d occasionally run into a vendor carrying it. These days, it seems like just about every pop-up I attend has at least one person offering it. Coincidence? Maybe. But I’m starting to think RSO is having its own little renaissance in the 518!

So, What Exactly Is RSO?

RSO is a highly concentrated, full-spectrum cannabis oil named after Rick Simpson, the Canadian cannabis activist who helped popularize it. Unlike your typical vape cartridge or dab concentrate, RSO is generally a thick, dark, sticky oil containing a broad range of cannabinoids and other compounds extracted from cannabis.

It’s traditionally associated with oral use, although products and intended applications can vary. A little goes a long way, and this isn’t exactly the product you want to mistake for a generous serving of honey!

Not All RSO Is Created Equal!

Here’s where things get important. Just because somebody has a syringe filled with dark cannabis oil doesn’t automatically make it quality RSO.

Different extraction methods are used, including alcohol-based extraction and hydrocarbon-based methods involving solvents such as butane or propane. Some methods use CO2, although CO2 extraction is not necessarily traditional RSO production.

So, which method should you look for?

Food-grade ethanol extraction, performed in a properly equipped professional facility with appropriate solvent recovery and quality controls, is one established approach. Properly controlled CO2 extraction is another professional method for producing cannabis extracts. The important thing isn’t simply the name of the extraction method; it’s the purity of the starting material, the equipment, the manufacturing standards, and the final laboratory results.

I would be especially cautious about products made using unknown solvents or improvised extraction methods. Some solvents are highly flammable, and improperly processed extracts can contain unwanted residual chemicals.

My advice? Know your supplier! Ask what extraction method was used, what solvents were involved, how they were removed, and whether the finished product has been independently tested. Look for laboratory results covering potency, pesticides, heavy metals, microbial contaminants and residual solvents where applicable. If somebody gets offended because you ask questions about what you’re putting in your body, that’s probably a pretty good reason to keep walking.

Why Are So Many People Interested in RSO?

This is where RSO gets particularly interesting. Across the cannabis community, people have shared personal experiences using it for a variety of medicinal and wellness purposes.

Some of the most commonly discussed reasons include:

Pain relief: People dealing with chronic pain often turn to RSO for potential relief.
Sleep: Its strong THC content makes it popular among people looking for help relaxing and getting a better night’s sleep.
Appetite: Particularly important for people struggling with appetite loss, including patients undergoing cancer treatments.
Nausea: Cannabis has an established medical research history involving nausea and vomiting, including symptoms associated with chemotherapy.
Muscle spasms: Some people report relief from muscle tension and spasms.
Relaxation: Many users report that RSO helps them unwind and manage stress.

One group that frequently comes up in conversations about RSO is cancer patients. Many patients undergoing treatment explore cannabis products because they’re looking for additional ways to manage pain, nausea, appetite loss and sleep difficulties. RSO has developed a particularly passionate following among people seeking those kinds of benefits.

Of course, everyone’s body responds differently, and people undergoing cancer treatment should discuss cannabis use with their healthcare providers, particularly because THC can interact with certain medications.

Is RSO Here to Stay in the 518?

From what I’ve personally been seeing at local pop-ups, I’d say RSO is definitely making a comeback. Whether it’s experienced cannabis consumers revisiting an old favorite or newer consumers discovering it for the first time, there’s clearly renewed interest.

And honestly, I’m glad to see people asking more questions about cannabis products and exploring different forms of cannabis beyond flower, vapes and concentrates.

But remember, quality matters. Know what you’re buying, know who’s making it, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Especially when it comes to something you’re consuming for medicinal purposes.

RSO has a long history, a passionate following and a place in the conversation about cannabis and wellness. Whether this resurgence is a passing trend or the beginning of a permanent return remains to be seen.

One thing is for sure: the next time you’re walking around a 518 pop-up, don’t be surprised if you see a little dark oil making a big impression.

And if you do, remember what OG Strain always says: Know what you’re smoking, know what you’re consuming, and know who you’re getting it from!