What Is RSO Oil?
RSO oil is a thick, dark cannabis extract made from the whole plant, named after Rick Simpson, the Canadian who made it popular. It is high in THC, sticky like tar, and almost always sold in a syringe.
You will see it under a few names. Phoenix Tears, RSO and FECO (full extract cannabis oil) are used largely interchangeably for the same kind of crude, whole-plant oil.
Where Rick Simpson Oil Came From
Rick Simpson is a former engineer from Nova Scotia. In the early-to-mid 2000s he began making his own cannabis oil, and instead of selling it, he taught people how to make it themselves.
He says he used it on his own skin cancer, and his story spread quickly online and in a late-2000s documentary. It is a personal account rather than a proven medical result.
The oil stuck around because it is a strong, full-plant extract that is easy to swallow, measure and store, and people kept finding their own reasons to use it.
How RSO Is Made
Cannabis is soaked in a solvent that pulls the resin off the plant. The liquid is strained, then gently heated until the solvent evaporates, leaving a dark, thick oil behind.
Simpson's first batches used naphtha, and his later recipe used isopropyl alcohol. Most RSO made today, including ours, is extracted with ethanol.
Because the whole plant goes in, the oil keeps more than THC. It also carries plant waxes, fats and other compounds, which is why it is dark and tastes earthy.
RSO vs Distillate vs FSE
- RSO: a crude, whole-plant oil. Dark, thick and earthy, made mostly for swallowing or adding to food.
- Distillate: refined down to mostly THC. Clear, amber and nearly tasteless, used in vapes, edibles and on its own. See our distillate syringe.
- FSE (full spectrum extract): a dabbable extract that keeps the strain's terpenes and flavour. See our full spectrum extracts.
For a deeper side-by-side of the dab formats, read live resin vs live rosin vs distillate.
How People Use RSO
- Swallowed or under the tongue: a small amount pressed out of the syringe, on its own or on a cracker.
- In food: mixed into something with a little fat, like peanut butter or chocolate, or into empty capsules.
- On the skin: some people apply it topically as a way of using the oil.
RSO is not usually smoked or vaped. It is a crude oil full of plant fats and waxes, so it burns poorly and is not made for a vape.
What People Use RSO For
Because it is strong and long-lasting when swallowed, RSO is commonly used by people looking for help with:
- Ongoing pain and inflammation
- Trouble sleeping
- Stress and anxiety
- Comfort and appetite during cancer treatment
These are the reasons people most often give, not promises of a result, and everyone reacts differently. If you are under a doctor's care, talk to them before adding RSO to your routine.
How Strong Is RSO, and How Long Does It Take?
RSO is concentrated. Our Phoenix Tears is labelled at about 80% THC, far stronger than flower, so a tiny amount goes a long way.
Swallowed RSO acts like an edible. The standard advice is that it can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in and can last many hours, so wait before taking more. Our guide on how long edibles take to kick in covers the timing in detail.
Simpson's own rule of thumb was to start with a drop about the size of half a grain of rice. Whatever amount you start with, start low and go slow.
Using and Storing an RSO Syringe
RSO is thick and can go almost solid at room temperature. Warm the syringe in your hands for a minute, or put it in a sealed bag in warm water, and it will push out smoothly.
Store it capped, in a cool, dark place. Heat, light and air slowly fade its strength, so keep the syringe sealed between uses.
Buying RSO Oil in Canada
Our Phoenix Tears syringe is 1g of ethanol-extracted, whole-plant oil made in-house in BC, labelled at about 80% THC. It is $10 right now (regular $19.99).
Want something to dab instead? Browse our cheap dabs and full spectrum extracts. Every order ships Canada-wide in discreet packaging by tracked mail.