Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) in Douglas County, Kansas: The Complete Guide by OilWell Cannabis

If you’re searching for honest answers about Rick Simpson Oil in Douglas County, you’re not alone. Every week, we hear from folks in Lawrence, Baldwin City, Eudora, and the rural stretches between who’ve watched a loved one suffer through cancer treatment, struggled with chronic pain that prescription meds can’t touch, or fought the insomnia and anxiety that seem to define modern life. You’ve probably heard the name “Rick Simpson” whispered in online forums, or seen “RSO” on products at shops in Kansas City or Topeka, or maybe even driven across state lines to Colorado hoping for something that actually works. You deserve to know what RSO really is, what the science actually says, and whether it’s a legitimate option for you or someone you care about here in Douglas County.

This guide isn’t a sales pitch. It’s the most comprehensive, evidence-grounded resource on RSO available anywhere—adapted specifically for our neighbors across Douglas County. We’ll walk you through the real history of Rick Simpson, explain why most “RSO” products on the market today aren’t what you think, show you exactly what’s in our formulas (every milligram, every terpene), and connect each ingredient to peer-reviewed research so you can make an informed decision. Whether you’re a patient at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, a veteran from Fort Leavenworth settling in Baldwin City, a KU researcher looking for evidence, or a caregiver helping someone through chemo at the University of Kansas Cancer Center, this is written for you.

Understanding Rick Simpson Oil: What Douglas County Needs to Know

Who Was Rick Simpson, Really?

Rick Simpson was born in 1949 in Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada. He wasn’t a doctor. He wasn’t a scientist. He was a power engineer and maintenance worker—a blue-collar tradesman whose journey into cannabis began because conventional medicine failed him completely. In 1997, while working at a hospital in Moncton, New Brunswick, Simpson fell from scaffolding and suffered a serious head injury. The aftermath included persistent tinnitus, dizziness, and post-concussion symptoms that his doctors couldn’t resolve. The medications they prescribed either didn’t help or made him worse. When he discovered cannabis provided more relief than anything else, he asked his physician to support it—and was refused .

Sound familiar? We hear versions of this story every week from people across Douglas County. The veteran in Lecompton who was handed opioids for back pain and ended up barely functional. The cancer patient in Lawrence who was told there were “no more options” after chemo stopped working. The chronic pain sufferer in Eudora who cycled through gabapentin, Lyrica, and tramadol with no relief. The medical system, for all its strengths, often leaves people behind—and when it does, they start looking for alternatives.

Simpson’s interest in concentrated cannabis oil deepened after he learned about a 1974 NIH-funded study at the Medical College of Virginia, where THC was reported to slow or shrink tumors in mice. That study—originally intended to demonstrate harm—became Simpson’s foundational reference point, even though its findings were never replicated in controlled human cancer trials .

The 2003 Skin Cancer Story That Started It All

The pivotal moment came in 2003. Simpson reported that three bumps on his arm were diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma. Rather than pursue conventional treatment, he applied concentrated cannabis oil directly to the lesions, covered them with bandages, and waited. According to his account, the bumps disappeared within four days. Here’s the crucial part: no independent medical verification of this outcome has ever been published. No biopsy confirmation. No clinical follow-up in any peer-reviewed source. This was personal testimony, not medical evidence—but it became the origin story of Rick Simpson Oil and the catalyst for a global movement .

Important context for Douglas County readers: We share this story because it matters historically, but we also need to be brutally honest. Personal anecdotes can be powerful motivators, but they cannot replace clinical evidence. When someone in Lawrence or Baldwin City is facing a cancer diagnosis, we owe them the truth: Simpson’s claim was never scientifically validated. That doesn’t mean cannabis oil is useless—it means we need to look at what the actual research says, which we’ll do in depth later.

Simpson’s Mission: Free Oil for Those in Need

After 2003, Simpson committed himself to producing and distributing concentrated cannabis oil from his property in Maccan, Nova Scotia. He gave it away for free. No charge. He claimed to help people with cancer, chronic pain, diabetes, infections, glaucoma, arthritis, depression, insomnia, and more . For families across Douglas County watching loved ones suffer, this story resonates deeply—especially in our rural areas where access to specialized care requires long drives to Topeka or Kansas City.

His story reached a global audience through the 2005 documentary Run From The Cure, which became one of the most widely shared cannabis advocacy films ever made. For many people in Douglas County who first learned about RSO through online forums or Facebook groups, this documentary was their introduction .

But Simpson’s advocacy brought him into direct conflict with Canadian law. The RCMP raided his property in 2005 and 2009. He was charged with cultivation, possession, and trafficking. Eventually, facing continued legal pressure, he left Canada for Europe, living in Croatia and the Netherlands, continuing his advocacy from abroad .

In 2012, he published Phoenix Tears: The Rick Simpson Story and maintained phoenixtears.ca as his platform .

Throughout his career, Simpson maintained one consistent message: cannabis oil could cure cancer and many other diseases, and pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, and medical institutions were actively suppressing this knowledge. He framed his work as a fight against institutional corruption .

Important context: Simpson’s conspiratorial framing reflects a worldview shared by many in the early cannabis movement. In Douglas County, where we’ve seen the pharmaceutical industry’s role in the opioid crisis affect our neighbors, and where many feel let down by healthcare bureaucracy, this perspective resonates. But our commitment is to evidence, not ideology. We’ll present what Simpson believed while grounding everything in what the science actually shows.

The Traditional RSO Protocol: 60 Grams in 90 Days

Simpson’s core treatment recommendation was a structured oral protocol: consume 60 grams of concentrated cannabis oil over approximately 90 days. He claimed this was the minimum necessary for serious cancer treatment .

The Titration Schedule

• Week 1: Start with a dose the size of half a grain of rice (roughly 10-15mg) three times daily. Total: 30-45mg per day.
• Weeks 2-5: Double the dose every four days, building tolerance. Target: reach 1 gram (1,000mg) per day by week 5.
• Weeks 5-12: Maintain 1 gram per day in three divided doses until all 60 grams are consumed.

Administration Methods

• Oral: Primary method—place under tongue or swallow for systemic absorption.
• Topical: For skin cancers, apply directly and cover with bandages.
• Inhalation: Not recommended as primary treatment, though acknowledged for immediate symptom relief .

Tolerance and Psychoactive Effects

Simpson claimed patients develop tolerance to THC’s psychoactive effects within 3-4 weeks. He recommended nighttime dosing initially and warned against driving during titration .

Post-Protocol Maintenance

After completing 60 grams, Simpson recommended 1-2 grams per month indefinitely .

Dietary Recommendations

He also advocated reducing sugar and processed foods, though this was secondary to the oil protocol .

Critical Context for Evaluating This Protocol

This is where we need to be completely honest with our Douglas County neighbors:

• No controlled trial validation. There are zero published randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, or even well-documented case series evaluating this 60-gram protocol for any condition .
• Crude, unstandardized material. The 60-gram quantity assumes a single-strain, THC-dominant extract with no standardized potency. Traditional RSO THC content likely ranged from 60-90%, but this was never lab-verified .
• Very high THC exposure. At peak dosing (1 gram per day of 60-90% THC oil), patients consumed 600-900mg of delta-9 THC daily. For context, the FDA-approved drug dronabinol is typically dosed at 2.5-20mg per day .
• Real risks at these doses. Consuming 600-900mg of THC daily carries serious risks: severe intoxication, impairment, anxiety, panic, tachycardia, hypotension, and cannabis use disorder. These are well-documented in the research [1][13][14][15].
• Oncology complexity. Patients with active cancer are medically complex. Using unregulated, unstandardized cannabis oil as primary treatment—potentially in place of proven therapies—introduces harm beyond the oil itself .

For our neighbors in Douglas County considering this protocol: please understand the risks. If you’re being treated at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, the University of Kansas Cancer Center, or any oncology practice in the region, discuss any cannabis use with your medical team. RSO should complement care, not replace it.

What Traditional RSO Actually Was

Traditional RSO wasn’t a standardized product—it was defined by Simpson’s method:

Source material: Single high-THC indica strain, no standardization. Whatever he grew or sourced—that’s what you got .

Extraction solvent: Naphtha (petroleum-based lighter fluid) or 99% isopropyl alcohol. Neither is food-grade. Naphtha may contain benzene, toluene, and other carcinogens. Incomplete purging leaves toxic residues .

Process: Bucket, solvent, agitate, filter, rice cooker evaporation, syringes. The heat destroyed terpenes and fully decarboxylated THCa into THC .

Appearance: Nearly black, thick, tar-like oil with strong cannabis and possible solvent-residual odor .

Cannabinoid profile: 60-90% delta-9 THC, uncontrolled, unmeasured, never lab-verified. Minor cannabinoids present at natural ratios but not targeted .

Terpene content: Essentially zero. The solvent and heat process stripped them completely .

Standardization: None. Every batch was different .

Residual solvent risk: Significant. This is one of the biggest safety concerns with traditional RSO .

Simpson’s Claims vs. The Evidence

Simpson claimed RSO could cure cancer and many other diseases. Let’s look at what the evidence actually shows:

What Simpson was not: He had no medical training, conducted no clinical trials, published no peer-reviewed research. His evidence was personal testimony and anecdotes—no controls, no verification, no blinding .

What preclinical literature shows: In vitro and animal studies demonstrate THC and CBD can induce apoptosis, inhibit proliferation, and reduce angiogenesis in certain cancer cell lines. Animal models show some tumor-growth inhibition . This is scientifically interesting but not proof of human cancer cures.

What preclinical literature does NOT show: These findings have not translated into proven human cancer cures. No human clinical trial has demonstrated RSO cures cancer .

Institutional positions:

• National Cancer Institute (NCI): Acknowledges cannabinoid anticancer research but does not endorse cannabis as cancer treatment .
• FDA: Has not approved any cannabis plant product for cancer. Only Epidiolex (CBD) for seizures and synthetic THC drugs for chemo nausea/AIDS wasting are approved [1].
• Health Canada: Never approved RSO for cancer .
• NCCIH: Strongest evidence is for rare epilepsies, chemo nausea, and HIV/AIDS appetite—not cancer cure [1].

What Simpson got right: He drew attention to cannabinoids as serious biomedical research when the world ignored them. His advocacy helped create conditions for today’s legal cannabis industry. The term “RSO” remains the most recognized name for full-spectrum cannabis extract .

What he overstated: Cure claims exceeded the evidence. Encouraging patients to use RSO instead of proven cancer therapies carries genuine harm potential. Delayed or foregone treatment is a documented concern .

For our Douglas County neighbors: We honor Simpson’s contribution to cannabis awareness, but we will not repeat his overstatements. If you’re being treated at any facility in the Lawrence area or beyond, please coordinate with your oncology team. RSO is not a substitute for proven cancer treatment.

Traditional RSO vs. Modern Formulated RSO

Dimension	Traditional RSO	OilWell Formulated RSO
Source material	Single high-THC indica strain	Multi-cannabinoid blend from multiple sources
Extraction method	Naphtha or isopropyl alcohol	Modern food-grade ethanol or CO₂ methods
Cannabinoid profile	THC-dominant, uncontrolled	Seven defined cannabinoids at specific ratios
Terpene content	Destroyed by high-heat process	Live terpenes at 5% with defined seven-terpene profile
Standardization	None—every batch different	Lab-tested with specific mg/mL targets
Lab testing	Not available or performed	Full panel testing
Residual solvents	Significant risk with naphtha	Controlled and tested
Dosing precision	Approximate, syringe-based	Measured per mL with known cannabinoid content (553 mg/mL)
Product formats	Single thick oil only	Sublingual oil and vape cartridge with format-specific formulas
THCa preservation	No—fully decarboxylated by heat	Yes—THCa included as separate ingredient at 1,500 mg
Evidence approach	Anecdotal, personal testimony	Research-backed, evidence-weighted

Why OilWell’s Formulas Diverge From Traditional RSO

Our formulas are informed by the RSO tradition but deliberately different—designed to solve problems that limited Simpson’s original vision:

Multi-cannabinoid approach: Traditional RSO relied on whatever single strain was available. Our formulas intentionally include seven cannabinoids—CBD, CBG, delta-8 THC, THCa, delta-9 THC, CBN, and CBC—because the entourage-effect literature suggests potential benefit from cannabinoid diversity, even though robust clinical proof of whole-formula synergy remains limited [20][29].

Terpene preservation and addition: Traditional RSO had essentially no terpene content. We include live terpenes at 5% with a specific seven-terpene profile—limonene, myrcene, caryophyllene, pinene, linalool, humulene, and terpinolene—because terpene bioactivity is plausible and supported at the preclinical level, even if human clinical confirmation is still developing [20][21][23][24][25][26][27][28][29].

THCa as a separate ingredient: Traditional RSO fully decarboxylated everything, converting all THCa into delta-9 THC. Our sublingual formula includes THCa at 1,500 mg as a distinct ingredient, preserving the acidic precursor because the THCa literature suggests potentially relevant non-psychoactive bioactivity that’s lost when THCa converts to THC [12].

Reduced delta-9 THC dominance: Traditional RSO was 60-90% delta-9 THC. Our sublingual formula uses delta-9 THC at only 90 mg while incorporating delta-8 THC at 6,000 mg and distributing remaining cannabinoids across CBD (4,500 mg), CBG (3,000 mg), CBN (750 mg), and CBC (750 mg). This reflects broader cannabinoid research rather than single-compound dominance.

Product format innovation: Simpson envisioned only oral oil from a syringe. We offer both a 30 mL sublingual oil and a 1-gram vape cartridge, each with format-specific formulations acknowledging that different delivery routes have different pharmacokinetic profiles [14].

Solvent Safety and the Evolution of Extraction

Traditional RSO used naphtha or isopropyl alcohol—neither food-grade. Naphtha is a petroleum hydrocarbon mixture that may contain benzene, toluene, and other carcinogens. Incomplete purging is difficult to verify without analytical equipment .

Modern extraction uses food-grade ethanol or supercritical CO₂, allowing much more complete solvent removal with validated analytical testing. This is one of the most straightforward improvements the modern regulated cannabis industry made over traditional RSO [1][10][11][14].

Our RSO isn’t an extraction product—it’s a formulated blend of individual cannabinoid distillates and isolates combined at specific ratios in a controlled production environment. No naphtha. No isopropyl alcohol. No butane. No extraction solvents in the finished product.

We use organic MCT oil as the carrier base—a food-grade lipid that facilitates sublingual absorption and provides a neutral taste profile, a significant improvement over traditional RSO’s tar-like consistency and solvent-residual odor.

Third-party lab testing covers cannabinoid potency, terpene profile, pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbial contaminants. Certificates of Analysis (COAs) are available on request and through our website.

The Decarboxylation Question: Why THCa Matters

Traditional RSO was fully decarboxylated. The rice cooker heat (60-80°C for naphtha, 82°C for isopropyl alcohol) converted essentially all THCa into delta-9 THC. Whatever acidic cannabinoids existed in the raw plant were lost .

Our sublingual formula deliberately preserves THCa at 1,500 mg as a distinct ingredient. This creates three usage options:

Option 1—Raw, no heat: All 1,500 mg stays as THCa—completely non-psychoactive. The THCa evidence profile describes potential anti-inflammatory activity via COX-2 inhibition and neuroprotective potential via PPARγ agonism [12]. This option is compatible with work, driving, and daytime use with zero impairment—crucial for our Douglas County neighbors who need to function through their day.

Option 2—Fully activated, home decarboxylation: Heating the oil at 260°F (125°C) for 45-60 minutes in an oven-safe glass container converts 1,500 mg THCa into approximately 1,315 mg delta-9 THC. Combined with the existing 90 mg delta-9 THC, this yields approximately 1,405 mg total delta-9 THC. Combined with 6,000 mg delta-8 THC, the activated product achieves psychoactive potency comparable to traditional illegal RSO—100% legally, because decarboxylation occurs at your discretion after purchase.

Option 3—Vape, auto-decarboxylation: Our vape cartridge vaporizes at 400-450°F, instantly converting THCa to delta-9 THC with each inhalation. Every puff delivers freshly decarboxylated cannabinoids—fastest-onset RSO delivery available.

The conversion chemistry: THCa has a molecular weight of 358.47 g/mol. The ratio is approximately 1 mg THCa = 0.877 mg delta-9 THC after decarboxylation, reflecting the loss of a CO₂ molecule.

This puts the potency decision entirely in your hands—aligning with Rick Simpson’s principle that patients should control their medicine, but implementing it through chemistry rather than rhetoric.

Terpene Loss in Traditional RSO vs. Our Approach

Terpenes are volatile aromatic compounds with low boiling points (21-157°C). Traditional RSO’s solvent extraction and high-heat evaporation destroyed terpenes in two ways: dissolving them into solvent, then volatilizing them during heating .

Our formulas specify live terpenes at 5% with a defined seven-terpene profile: limonene, myrcene, caryophyllene, pinene, linalool, humulene, and terpinolene. Each terpene has its own evidence profile in the GENERAL KNOWLEDGE section. The entourage-effect literature provides the theoretical framework for why preserving terpenes alongside cannabinoids may matter pharmacologically, even though robust human clinical proof remains limited [20][29].

Evidence Standards: Then and Now

Rick Simpson operated in a pre-legalization, pre-lab-testing era. His evidence was anecdotal. His production was unstandardized. His claims were untested in any formal sense .

This document takes a fundamentally different approach. The GENERAL KNOWLEDGE section applies a formal evidence hierarchy: human clinical evidence first, then systematic reviews and meta-analyses, then institutional summaries, then preclinical and mechanistic literature [1]-[29]. Every compound-level claim is tied to specific peer-reviewed sources with evidence strength clearly labeled.

Where Simpson relied on personal testimony, we rely on published literature and institutional sources.

Simpson’s Protocol vs. Modern Dosing Considerations

Simpson’s 60-gram/90-day protocol was designed around crude, single-strain, THC-dominant extract with no standardized potency. A direct comparison between his dosing and dosing with a modern, standardized, multi-cannabinoid formulation isn’t straightforward—the products are fundamentally different.

Key differences:

• Cannabinoid concentration: Our sublingual formula delivers 553 mg total active cannabinoids per mL across seven defined compounds. Traditional RSO potency was unknown and variable .
• Cannabinoid ratios: Simpson’s oil was approximately 60-90% delta-9 THC. Our formula distributes 16,590 mg total cannabinoids across CBD (4,500 mg), CBG (3,000 mg), delta-8 THC (6,000 mg), THCa (1,500 mg), delta-9 THC (90 mg), CBN (750 mg), and CBC (750 mg)—a completely different pharmacologic profile .
• Terpene presence: Simpson’s oil had no terpenes. Our formula includes live terpenes at 5% .
• Delta-9 THC exposure: Simpson’s protocol at peak dosing delivered approximately 600-900 mg delta-9 THC per day. Our sublingual formula contains only 90 mg delta-9 THC in the entire 30 mL bottle (3 mg per mL), making per-dose delta-9 THC exposure dramatically lower .

Future dosing guidance for our products should be developed independently of Simpson’s protocol, informed by per-compound evidence and responsible titration principles.

ABOUT OILWELL CANNABIS AND THE OILWELL RSO FORMULA

Our Origin Story: From the Borderplex to Douglas County

OilWell Cannabis was founded by Colin Valencia in Houston, Texas. Colin grew up in McAllen, Texas—right across the river from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The McAllen-Reynosa area, known as the Borderplex, is one of the most economically challenged and dangerous regions along the U.S.-Mexico border. McAllen is a city of contrasts—vibrant culture yet deeply affected by poverty. Reynosa is an industrial hub plagued by violence and cartel activity.

Colin’s childhood was marked by exposure to both opportunities and challenges. Early on, he learned to hustle, taking on risky work transporting items across the border. Those experiences exposed him to complexities and dangers. A lot of his best friends have been killed or are in prison because of associated dangers. He faced every form of violence imaginable, both in the streets and across the border. By sixteen, he had to leave home for good.

Despite dangers, Colin didn’t fall into darker paths like selling harder substances. Instead, he focused on cannabis, seeing it as a safer alternative. He grew up in the traditional cannabis world long before legalization, learning the plant intimately while operating in shadows. Over time, he transitioned from risky ventures to creating a legal, legitimate business.

Colin later became a formally trained software engineer and did custom development for Baylor College of Medicine—one of the most prestigious medical institutions in the Texas Medical Center. That combination—deep cannabis plant knowledge plus medical-grade technical precision—defines our approach.

Why this matters for Douglas County: We understand what it means to come from a place where opportunities are limited and where the system often fails people. Many parts of rural Douglas County face similar challenges—limited healthcare access, economic pressures, and a sense that institutions aren’t always designed to help. Our origin isn’t corporate boardrooms; it’s real struggle, which is why we approach this work with humility and purpose.

Bentley: The Dog Who Started Everything

Our company’s origin story begins with a dog named Bentley. Bentley was more than a pet—he was family, a companion who stood by Colin through the toughest times. When Bentley fell seriously ill, veterinarians delivered devastating news: euthanasia was the only humane option. Bentley was paralyzed in his back legs. They said pain medications would destroy his internal organs, causing more suffering. The choice was painful prolonged decline or immediate mercy killing.

But giving up on Bentley wasn’t an option. In a desperate search for alternatives, Colin stumbled upon CBD—through a question that changed everything.

A rescue worker named Jessica asked: “You’ve moved how many tons of weed and you’ve never heard of CBD?”

Colin had cannabis experience—but it was recreational. He’d never explored therapeutic applications. Jessica’s question exposed a blind spot that became a mission.

Determined to save Bentley, Colin learned to create CBD golden paste—a specialized cannabinoid formula for pets. It wasn’t a cure, but it was a lifeline. And that hope delivered what veterinary medicine said was impossible: Bentley got up. He walked over to Colin and brought him his ball to play. From paralyzed and facing euthanasia to fetching his ball. This wasn’t placebo—dogs don’t respond to placebo. This was cannabinoid medicine doing what pharmaceuticals couldn’t.

Bentley lived another ten years, passing naturally at age twenty. During those years, Colin developed specialized cannabis formulas for every age-related condition Bentley faced:

• Neurodegeneration led to understanding CBG’s neuroprotective properties and THCa’s PPARγ agonism for brain cell protection
• Dementia led to CBC’s role in neurogenesis
• Glaucoma led to THC’s CB1 agonism for intraocular pressure reduction
• Crippling arthritis led to multi-pathway anti-inflammatory approaches using CBD, CBG, THCa, and beta-caryophyllene working through different receptor systems simultaneously

Single cannabinoids were not enough. Bentley’s evolving conditions required multi-cannabinoid synergy. CBD alone couldn’t address neurodegeneration, dementia, glaucoma, and arthritis simultaneously. Minor cannabinoids like CBG, CBN, and CBC became critical as Bentley aged. Pharmaceutical precision mattered—Bentley’s life depended on formula accuracy, not guesswork.

For Douglas County pet owners: We published the exact CBD golden paste recipe that saved Bentley so any pet owner facing a similar crisis can make it themselves:

CBD Golden Paste Recipe for Pets

• 1/2 cup organic turmeric powder
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup coconut oil (unrefined, organic)
• 1-2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• CBD oil (dosage depends on pet size; consult a veterinarian)

Instructions: Mix turmeric and water in saucepan over low heat until thick paste (7-10 minutes). Add coconut oil and pepper. Cool and store in refrigerator up to two weeks. Mix small amount with pet’s food once or twice daily.

This recipe—published for free, years before our RSO formulas—demonstrates that our open-source ethos is foundational behavior, not marketing strategy.

From Personal Struggle to Mission: Colin’s PTSD and Benzo Withdrawal

Colin also knows pharmaceutical dependence personally. He struggled with PTSD and benzodiazepine addiction. When he decided to break free from Xanax, he did it cold turkey—a feat notoriously difficult and dangerous—using the cannabinoid knowledge developed keeping Bentley alive.

Our Peace Gummies formula was created during midnight experiments while fighting through benzo withdrawal. To ensure quick relief, we also offer Peace Gummies in vape form, which Colin personally uses to manage his insomnia and severe PTSD. This isn’t theoretical knowledge. Colin lived what RSO patients live: desperation for relief, failed pharmaceuticals, the discovery that cannabinoids work when pills don’t.

Serving Douglas County: From Houston to Lawrence

Over time, the therapeutic benefits of cannabis that Colin first discovered through Bentley became the core of our work. We’ve developed formulas that doctors use for conditions like Crohn’s disease, IBS, ulcerative colitis, PTSD, benzo addiction, and insomnia. Our focus has always been making cannabis accessible and effective for everyone—including vegans, diabetics, and those with specific health needs.

ABC13 Houston recognized our work in seven comprehensive news segments from 2019-2023, covering Texas marijuana law, Delta-8 legal analysis, COVID-19 community health leadership, criminal justice reform, and cannabis business pioneering. Colin was repeatedly selected as the primary industry expert for cannabis policy and product coverage in America’s fourth-largest city.

Our foundational philosophy, captured in Colin’s first ABC13 feature in September 2019: “I’m not trying to sell people snake oil. I’m not trying to sell people hope. But there’s enough research out there that people just need to know and try and have the best possible version to base their opinions off of to give it a fair shot as to whether it’s right or wrong for them.”

This is our commitment to Douglas County: honest education, not hype. We won’t promise cures. We will promise transparency, quality, and the best possible version so you can decide for yourself.

Our Operations: Reaching Douglas County from Houston

Today, OilWell Cannabis operates from Montrose, Houston, Texas (810 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77006). We’ve been operating since 2019, maintain a near-5.0 Google rating, and are Texas DSHS licensed. All artwork, formulations, and packaging are created in-house in Houston using only our own recipes and ideas.

For Douglas County residents, this means you’re getting products crafted with intent, not mass-produced commodities. We bring Houston grit, McAllen roots, and a builder’s mindset to everything we do—but our posture stays simple: make products with intent, answer directly, and never pretend cannabis is right for everyone.

Our RSO Philosophy: Four Core Principles

OilWell’s RSO is not traditional Rick Simpson Oil. It’s a formulated, multi-cannabinoid product informed by the RSO tradition but departing from it in deliberate, evidence-motivated ways designed to solve problems that limited Simpson’s original vision.

1. Accessibility over gatekeeping. No medical card required. Anyone age 21+ can purchase. We ship nationwide across the United States and internationally to customers who verify local legality. Simpson believed medicine should be accessible to everyone; we built a product and distribution model that makes that accessible legally—including to every address in Douglas County, from downtown Lawrence to rural farms outside Eudora.

2. Patient-controlled potency. THCa is sold in its acidic, non-psychoactive form. You decide whether to use it raw for non-psychoactive benefits or decarboxylate it into delta-9 THC for full psychoactive potency. Simpson believed patients should control their medicine; we engineered a product that puts that control in your hands through chemistry rather than rhetoric.

3. Open-source formulas. We publish our complete formulas publicly—every cannabinoid, every milligram amount, every percentage—so anyone who cannot afford the product can source ingredients and make their own version. Simpson gave his oil away for free and taught people how to make it; we adapted that ethos for the modern cannabinoid marketplace by selling a professionally manufactured product and publishing the recipe.

4. Evidence-informed, not evidence-overstating. The GENERAL KNOWLEDGE section in this document represents our commitment to honest education about what the science actually says. Simpson operated without access to peer-reviewed literature or clinical trial data; we have that access and use it to distinguish between what’s well-supported, what’s emerging, and what’s overstated.

Farm Bill Compliance and the THCa Legal Framework: What Kansas Residents Need to Know

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and hemp-derived products containing less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight at the federal level. This legal framework is the foundation of our RSO product design.

For Douglas County residents, this is crucial because Kansas has some of the most restrictive cannabis laws in the nation. The state has only a limited CBD program with 0% THC requirement—no comprehensive medical cannabis program. Many Kansans drive to Colorado or Missouri for cannabis products, risking legal issues crossing state lines. Our Farm Bill-compliant products offer a legal alternative shipped directly to your door.

Our RSO Sublingual Oil contains only 90 milligrams of delta-9 THC in the entire 30 mL bottle—3 milligrams per milliliter—well under the 0.3% threshold. All cannabinoids are hemp-derived. The product is legal under federal law and in Kansas.

THCa: The Legal Distinction That Changes Everything

THCa (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is the acidic, non-psychoactive precursor to delta-9 THC. It is not itself delta-9 THC. This distinction is legally significant: THCa is Farm Bill compliant at point of sale because it hasn’t been converted to delta-9 THC.

The practical significance for Douglas County residents is substantial. You can decarboxylate THCa into delta-9 THC at home by heating the oil at 260°F (125°C) for 45-60 minutes in an oven-safe glass container. This converts 1,500 milligrams of THCa into approximately 1,315 milligrams of delta-9 THC. Combined with the existing 90 milligrams delta-9 THC, this produces approximately 1,405 milligrams total delta-9 THC—giving the product psychoactive potency comparable to traditional illegal RSO, entirely at your discretion after purchase.

This means the same product can function as a non-psychoactive anti-inflammatory (used raw) or as full-potency psychoactive cannabinoid medicine (after home decarboxylation). You control the decision. The product is legal everywhere all component cannabinoids are legal, which enables shipping to Douglas County, Kansas.

Important legal notice for Kansas residents: THCa converts to delta-9 THC when heated. You are responsible for understanding and complying with Kansas laws regarding cannabinoid products. We ship with full documentation, Certificates of Analysis, and receipts. Kansas law prohibits possession of cannabis with any THC content, but hemp-derived products with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC at point of sale are federally legal. The legal landscape is evolving; we recommend staying informed about local regulations.

Open-Source Formulas: Why We Publish Everything

We publish our complete RSO formulas—every cannabinoid, every milligram amount, every percentage—in public documents including this one. The RSO Sublingual Oil formula and RSO Vape Cartridge formula are detailed in full later in this document.

The rationale is straightforward: if someone cannot afford our products—$129.99 for sublingual oil, $49.99 for vape cartridge—they can see exactly what the formula contains, source individual cannabinoid distillates and isolates, and make their own version. The formulas in the product sections are the open-source formulas.

This is a direct echo of Rick Simpson’s original ethos. Simpson gave his oil away for free and taught people how to make it. He never patented his method or charged patients. We adapted that ethos for the modern cannabinoid marketplace: we sell professionally manufactured, lab-tested, standardized products for those who want them, and we publish the complete recipe for those who want to make their own.

As Colin said on ABC13 in 2019: “I’m not trying to sell people snake oil. I’m not trying to sell people hope, but there’s enough research out there that people just need to know and try and have the best possible version to base their opinions off of to give it a fair shot as to whether it’s right or wrong for them.”

The open-source philosophy started with Bentley. We published the actual CBD golden paste recipe that saved Bentley’s life so any pet owner facing a similar crisis could make it themselves. That recipe appears in the previous section.

The Decarboxylation Choice: Patient-Controlled Potency

Traditional RSO was always fully decarboxylated—always psychoactive. Our sublingual formula contains 1,500 mg THCa in its acidic, non-psychoactive form, creating three usage options:

Option 1—Raw, no heat: All 1,500 mg stays as THCa—completely non-psychoactive. Compatible with work, driving, and daytime use with zero impairment. For Douglas County residents who need to stay functional—whether you’re a KU professor, a farmer, a healthcare worker at Lawrence Memorial, or a parent—this option gives you therapeutic cannabinoid support without intoxication.

Option 2—Fully activated, home decarboxylation: Heat at 260°F (125°C) for 45-60 minutes converts THCa to delta-9 THC. You can decarboxylate the entire bottle or transfer a controlled portion to a second container, preserving the remainder raw.

Option 3—Vape, auto-decarboxylation: Our vape cartridge vaporizes at 400-450°F, instantly converting THCa to delta-9 THC with each inhalation. Fastest-onset RSO delivery available—ideal for breakthrough symptoms.

This puts potency control in your hands—aligning with Rick Simpson’s principle that patients should control their medicine, but implementing it through chemistry rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Solvent-Free Production for Kansas Consumers

Our RSO isn’t an extraction product—it’s a formulated blend of individual cannabinoid distillates and isolates combined at specific ratios in a controlled production environment. No naphtha, no isopropyl alcohol, no butane. No extraction solvents in the finished product.

We use organic MCT oil as the carrier base—a food-grade lipid that facilitates sublingual absorption and provides a neutral taste profile. This eliminates the residual solvent risk that’s one of the most significant safety concerns with traditional RSO.

Third-party lab testing covers cannabinoid potency, terpene profile, pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbial contaminants. Certificates of Analysis (COAs) are available on request and through our website—because Douglas County residents deserve to know exactly what they’re putting in their bodies.

The Broader OilWell Product Portfolio

Beyond RSO, we produce a range of cannabinoid products, each developed from formulation knowledge Colin built over Bentley’s ten-year journey and his own experience with PTSD and benzo withdrawal:

Asshole Peach—Our most popular product. Asshole Peach is a carefully formulated experience designed to provide euphoric, long-lasting sensation. Particularly favored by veterans for relieving pain and PTSD symptoms without being overly aggressive.

Peace Gummies—Developed directly from Colin’s own benzo withdrawal experience. Helped him quit Xanax cold turkey. Also available in vape form for quick relief—Colin personally uses it to manage insomnia and severe PTSD.

Custom creations—We offer custom-made products tailored to individual needs. Whether specific cannabinoid ratios, particular delivery formats, or formulations for unique health circumstances (vegans, diabetics, specific dietary needs), we design targeted products on request.

For Douglas County veterans, chronic pain sufferers, and those struggling with pharmaceutical dependence—many of whom have traveled this path before finding us—these products demonstrate that we formulate for real human needs, not theoretical markets.

Two Product Formats: Sublingual Oil and Vape Cartridge

We offer our RSO formula in two delivery formats, each designed for different use cases and pharmacokinetic profiles.

RSO Sublingual Oil — $129.99

• 30 mL bottle (1 fl oz)
• 16,590 mg total cannabinoids (553 mg per mL)
• Seven cannabinoids: CBD 4,500 mg, CBG 3,000 mg, delta-8 THC 6,000 mg, THCa 1,500 mg, delta-9 THC 90 mg, CBN 750 mg, CBC 750 mg
• Live terpenes at 5%: limonene, myrcene, caryophyllene, pinene, linalool, humulene, terpinolene
• Organic MCT oil base
• Graduated dropper for precise dosing in 0.1 mL increments
• Onset: 15-45 minutes (sublingual absorption through oral mucosa)
• Peak effects: 1-2 hours
• Duration: 4-6 hours
• Bioavailability: 13-19% (sublingual route partially bypasses first-pass liver metabolism)
• Approximately 40-60 doses per bottle depending on serving size

For Douglas County residents who need sustained relief through the day or night—whether managing chronic pain, supporting sleep, or maintaining stability—this format provides long-lasting effects with precise control.

RSO Vape Cartridge — $49.99

• 1-gram cartridge
• 900 mg+ total cannabinoids
• Same six-cannabinoid ratio as sublingual formula (THCa auto-decarbs at vaping temperature)
• Live terpenes at 5%+
• 510-thread universal battery compatibility
• Onset: 1-2 minutes (fastest cannabinoid delivery method)
• Peak effects: 10-15 minutes
• Duration: 2-4 hours
• Bioavailability: 10-35% (variable, dependent on inhalation technique)
• Automatic THCa decarboxylation at vaping temperature (400-450°F)

For Douglas County residents who need rapid breakthrough relief—acute pain spikes, panic attacks, nausea from chemo at Lawrence Memorial, or sudden insomnia—this format delivers cannabinoids faster than any other method.

When to Use Each Format in Douglas County

Use case	Recommended format	Rationale
Fast relief (acute pain, nausea, panic)	Vape	1-2 minute onset—critical for breakthrough symptoms
Sustained relief (chronic pain, sleep support)	Sublingual	4-6 hour duration—ideal for all-day or all-night coverage
Maximum bioavailability	Sublingual	13-19% absorption—more cannabinoids reach your system
Portability and discretion	Vape	Compact, no measuring—fits in pocket for on-the-go use
Precise dosing control	Sublingual	Graduated dropper in 0.1 mL increments—perfect for titration
Daytime non-psychoactive use	Sublingual (raw, no heat)	THCa stays inactive—zero impairment for work, driving, parenting
Nighttime psychoactive use	Sublingual (decarbed) or Vape	Activated THCa + delta-8 THC for full therapeutic effect

For our Douglas County neighbors managing complex conditions: many use the sublingual oil for baseline daily support and keep the vape cartridge for breakthrough moments.

Competitive Comparison: Why OilWell RSO for Douglas County

OilWell RSO vs. Kansas Dispensary Products

While Kansas doesn’t have recreational dispensaries, some residents travel to Missouri or Colorado and encounter dispensary RSO. Here’s how we compare:

Dimension	Missouri/Colorado Dispensary RSO	OilWell RSO
Cannabinoid profile	Often THC-only or limited spectrum	7 cannabinoids: CBD, CBG, delta-8 THC, THCa, delta-9 THC, CBN, CBC
CBG content	Usually minimal or none	3,000 mg
CBN content	Usually minimal or none	750 mg
CBC content	Usually minimal or none	750 mg
Patient-controlled potency	No—always fully psychoactive	Yes—THCa non-psychoactive until you heat it
Access requirements	Must travel out of state, medical card in some cases	Age 21+ only, no medical card required, ships to Douglas County
Legal risk for Kansas residents	Bringing THC products across state lines is illegal	Farm Bill compliant—ships legally to Kansas
Delivery	Requires travel, time off work, gas money	Ships directly to your Douglas County address

OilWell RSO vs. Hemp CBD RSO (e.g., online hemp brands)

Dimension	Typical Hemp CBD RSO (10 mL, 1,000 mg)	OilWell RSO (30 mL, 16,590 mg)
Total cannabinoids	1,000 mg	16,590 mg
CBD content	~950 mg	4,500 mg
CBG content	Minimal	3,000 mg
CBN content	Minimal	750 mg
Delta-8 THC	Usually 0 mg	6,000 mg
THCa (convertible)	Minimal	1,500 mg (converts to ~1,315 mg delta-9 THC)
Psychoactive option	No meaningful psychoactive effect	Yes—via THCa decarboxylation and delta-8 THC
Approximate price	$40-50	$129.99
Value per mg cannabinoid	~$0.05/mg	~$0.008/mg

For Douglas County residents, OilWell offers 16x more total cannabinoids, a complete multi-cannabinoid profile, and legal access without crossing state lines.

Condition-Specific Usage Context for Douglas County

Important disclaimer: The following usage contexts are informed by cannabinoid research cited in the GENERAL KNOWLEDGE section and our formulation rationale. They are not medical prescriptions, not FDA-approved treatment protocols, and not a substitute for professional medical care. These products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using cannabinoid products, especially if you have a medical condition, are taking medications, are pregnant or nursing, or have any health concerns. Do not operate vehicles or machinery while under the influence of psychoactive cannabinoids.

If you’re being treated at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, the University of Kansas Cancer Center, or any oncology practice in the region, please coordinate with your medical team before using any cannabis product.

Chemotherapy-related nausea and appetite support (for patients traveling to KU Cancer Center or Topeka cancer centers)

• Pre-chemo: 0.5-1.0 mL sublingual approximately 1 hour before treatment
• Acute breakthrough nausea: 2-3 vape puffs for immediate relief (1-2 minute onset)
• Post-chemo: 0.5 mL sublingual every 6 hours as needed
• Sleep support during treatment: 1.0-2.0 mL sublingual before bed (delivers 25-50 mg CBN)
• Evidence context: delta-8 THC antiemetic evidence [9], delta-9 THC nausea evidence [1][13], CBD anxiolytic buffering [3]

Chronic pain (fibromyalgia, arthritis, neuropathy—common in rural Douglas County where access to pain clinics is limited)

• Daytime: 0.3-0.5 mL raw sublingual—anti-inflammatory cannabinoid exposure without psychoactive impairment
• Nighttime: 0.5-1.0 mL decarboxylated sublingual—combines pain relief with CBN sleep support
• Breakthrough pain: Vape as needed for rapid onset
• Evidence context: CBD pain evidence [4], delta-9 THC pain evidence [13], beta-caryophyllene CB2 agonism [24], THCa COX-2 inhibition [12]

Sleep support (for Douglas County residents struggling with insomnia, whether from PTSD, chronic pain, or anxiety)

• Before bed: 1.0-2.0 mL sublingual
• At 2.0 mL, this delivers 50 mg CBN—the dosage investigated in 2024 sleep literature
• At 1.0 mL, this delivers 25 mg CBN—above the 20 mg threshold associated with reduced sleep disturbance
• Evidence context: CBN sleep evidence [16][17], cannabis and sleep review literature

Anxiety and stress (for KU students, faculty, and Douglas County professionals dealing with high-pressure environments)

• Daytime functional relief: 0.3 mL raw sublingual—CBD and CBG address anxiety pathways without impairment
• Nighttime: 1.0 mL sublingual—full cannabinoid profile including CBN for sleep architecture
• Evidence context: CBD anxiety evidence [3], CBG pharmacology [7][8], limonene entourage evidence [20]

General titration principle: Start low, go slow. Begin with 0.25-0.5 mL sublingual and assess effects over 2-3 hours before increasing. Individual responses vary based on body weight, metabolism, tolerance, concurrent medications, and other factors.

Delivery and Global Accessibility: Getting OilWell RSO to Douglas County

We operate the only same-day RSO delivery system in Houston, but for Douglas County residents, we ship nationwide via USPS Priority Mail (2-3 business days) or FedEx/UPS Ground (3-5 business days).

For Douglas County orders:

• Discreet packaging with no cannabis branding visible
• Tracking provided for all orders
• Temperature-stable packaging for summer shipments (crucial for Kansas summers)
• Signature-required option available
• Full documentation, Certificates of Analysis, and receipts included

Important for Kansas residents: We ship Farm Bill-compliant products to Kansas. You are responsible for verifying current Kansas law regarding hemp-derived cannabinoids. As of 2024, Kansas law permits CBD with 0% THC but has not fully aligned with federal Farm Bill standards for hemp-derived THC. The legal landscape is evolving. We provide full documentation, but you accept responsibility for compliance with local laws.

International shipping: While not relevant for Douglas County residents, it’s worth noting that our THCa legal framework enables us to ship internationally to jurisdictions where hemp-derived products with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC are permitted—a capability Rick Simpson never had.

How Our Formulas Connect to the Evidence

Every cannabinoid in our formula—CBD, CBG, delta-8 THC, THCa, delta-9 THC, CBN, and CBC—has its own evidence profile in the GENERAL KNOWLEDGE section. Every terpene—limonene, myrcene, caryophyllene, pinene, linalool, humulene, and terpinolene—is covered with preclinical and review-level evidence.

The formulas published in this document are anchored to per-compound evidence summaries that explain what is well-supported by human clinical data, what is emerging, and what is overstated. Where we make specific research claims about individual cannabinoids or terpenes, this document provides the source evaluation context—the same peer-reviewed citations, the same evidence-tier assessments, the same cautious interpretation framework.

The GENERAL KNOWLEDGE section’s evidence hierarchy, overstatement warnings, and safety notes apply equally to our own products. This document does not exempt OilWell from the same evidence standards applied to the broader cannabinoid field. That is intentional. Our position—as stated by Colin Valencia in 2019—is that people deserve the best possible version of the information so they can give it a fair shot and decide for themselves whether it is right or wrong for them. This document is the research foundation for that position.

OilWell Cannabis is more than a brand—it is a promise to our customers that we will always strive to deliver the best, most thoughtful cannabis products available. We are not here to follow trends. We are here to set them. And as we continue to grow, our focus remains on maintaining the same level of integrity, creativity, and commitment that has defined us from the day Bentley got up, walked across the room, and brought his ball to play.

MEDIA RECOGNITION AND COMMUNITY IMPACT

Colin Valencia: Houston’s Go-To Cannabis Authority

Between September 2019 and April 2023, ABC13 Houston (KTRK)—the ABC affiliate serving America’s fourth-largest city—featured Colin Valencia and OilWell Cannabis in seven distinct news segments spanning business, law, medicine, community health, and politics. Five different ABC13 reporters sought Colin out across those years: Tom Abrahams, Steve Campion, Shelley Childers, Nick Natario, and KTRK staff writers. No other Houston cannabis operator appears with that frequency or breadth of subject matter during the same period.

The features document a consistent pattern. When ABC13 needed to explain a new cannabis product to its audience, it called Colin. When a state agency reversed course on Delta-8 legality overnight, it called Colin. When a sitting president announced marijuana pardons and the station needed someone who had personally lived with a cannabis conviction to put it in context, it called Colin. When the station wanted to tell the story of a growing industry on 4/20, it was Colin’s hemp field and Colin’s voice that anchored the report.

What follows is a complete, chronological record of each feature—every quote preserved exactly as published, every contextual detail documented, every connection to our broader story and mission noted, and the full article content from each ABC13 report preserved for reference.

For Douglas County readers, this media record from a major-market ABC affiliate establishes credibility that transcends geography. When you’re evaluating whether to trust a cannabis company with your health, knowing that mainstream journalists—over five years and seven features—independently identified Colin as the most credible voice in the industry matters.

Feature: Texas CBD businesses booming as industry continues to evolve—September 15, 2019

Source: ABC13 Houston (KTRK)
Reporter: Tom Abrahams
Published: Sunday, September 15, 2019

Key Quote from Colin:
“It’s a lot of educating people, but not over-promising people. I’m not trying to sell people snake oil. I’m not trying to sell people hope, but there’s enough research out there that people just need to know and try and have the best possible version to base their opinions off of to give it a fair shot as to whether it’s right or wrong for them.”

Why this matters for Douglas County: This 2019 quote is the seed of everything we became. The open-source formula publication, the evidence-based research documentation, the refusal to make unsupported claims—it all traces back to this principle. For Douglas County residents navigating cannabis information online, this demonstrates our commitment to honest education from day one.

Feature: Entrepreneur creates direct-to-consumer business ahead of marijuana decriminalization efforts—March 22, 2021

Source: ABC13 Houston (KTRK)
Reporter: Tom Abrahams

Key Quote from Colin:
“People think that everyone just wants to get high and it’s about giggling and things like that, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But that’s a different version of therapy, and people are looking for things to help them with real pain. Pain comes in a lot of different forms.”

Why this matters for Douglas County: The “pain comes in a lot of different forms” quote speaks to every community. In Douglas County, we see this in the veteran with PTSD, the farmer with chronic back pain, the cancer patient at KU Cancer Center, the KU student with anxiety. We understand that pain isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither should medicine be.

Feature: What is Delta 8 THC and why is it considered legal weed in Texas—May 24, 2021

Source: ABC13 Houston (KTRK)
Reporter: Steve Campion

Key Exchange:
Steve Campion (ABC13): “Why would someone want to smoke that?”
Colin Valencia: “I don’t give a sh** if it’s wrong to say you’ll get high off it. Maybe you want to get high.”

Why this matters for Douglas County: This unfiltered honesty on mainstream television—preserved by the network—demonstrates our radical transparency. When you’re evaluating cannabis products in a restrictive state like Kansas, you need straight answers, not marketing spin. We give them.

Feature: Houston CBD shop giving away free products to those who get COVID vaccine—August 20, 2021

Source: ABC13 Houston (KTRK)

Key Details: OilWell gave away 1,000 special edition caviar pre-rolls (valued at $34.99 each = approximately $35,000 in product) to encourage COVID-19 vaccination. We coordinated with the city of Houston to amplify the effort.

Why this matters for Douglas County: When a public health crisis required action, we committed real product and real coordination with city government, with no political strings attached. This is the community-first philosophy we bring to every market we serve.

Feature: Texas ban over once legal hemp product Delta 8 raises questions over legality—October 19, 2021

Source: ABC13 Houston (KTRK)
Reporter: Shelley Childers

Key Details: When Texas DSHS suddenly classified Delta-8 as Schedule I, Colin proactively removed all Delta-8 products before enforcement began and tried to spread the word to other operators who were unknowingly shipping Schedule I narcotics.

Why this matters for Douglas County: This demonstrates ethical leadership during a regulatory crisis. We absorbed a major revenue loss to act ethically and protect our customers. That’s the kind of company Douglas County residents can trust.

Feature: Biden marijuana pardon—experts weigh in on why Texas won’t see impact—October 7, 2022

Source: ABC13 Houston (KTRK)
Reporter: Nick Natario

Key Revelation: The article revealed that Colin has previously faced charges for marijuana possession.

Key Quote from Colin:
“You face challenges with housing, loans, and banking, I mean with about everything.”
“I would love to see people not get hurt for this anymore.”

Why this matters for Douglas County: This personal revelation transforms the entire media record. Every feature—every quote about therapy, education, not selling snake oil—carries additional weight when you understand the person saying it has personally experienced cannabis criminalization. For Douglas County residents who’ve seen friends or family face similar challenges, this creates deep authenticity.

Feature: Marijuana industry getting creative as Texas laws continue to change—April 21, 2023

Source: ABC13 Houston (KTRK)
Reporter: Nick Natario

Key Quote from Colin:
“I want it to be legalized. I’m just saying that’s a very hyped conversation. If you really look at what’s here now, there’s nothing you could show me that I could accomplish with what literally we have right now.”
“Right now is actually a pretty – like Renaissance – pretty important time that should be enjoyed now.”

Why this matters for Douglas County: The “Renaissance” framing reframes the present as opportunity rather than waiting for legalization. For Kansans living under restrictive laws, this perspective is empowering—there are legal, effective options available now.

Complete Index of Colin Valencia Quotes (Chronological)

1. “I’m not trying to sell people snake oil. I’m not trying to sell people hope, but there’s enough research out there that people just need to know and try and have the best possible version to base their opinions off of to give it a fair shot as to whether it’s right or wrong for them.” (Sept 2019)
2. “People think that everyone just wants to get high… Pain comes in a lot of different forms.” (Mar 2021)
3. “I don’t give a sh** if it’s wrong to say you’ll get high off it. Maybe you want to get high.” (May 2021)
4. “We just want Houston to be as healthy as possible… We don’t have any political agenda.” (Aug 2021)
5. “[We’re] trying to get the city behind me to help as many people as we can.” (Aug 2021)
6. “It’s going to be a surprise to a lot of people.” (Oct 2021)
7. “It was a prime seller… they really enjoyed the benefits of it.” (Oct 2021)
8. “So those people are now… shipping Schedule 1 narcotics, and people are receiving it.” (Oct 2021)
9. “It’s disappointing, but I’m not going to lose my customers…” (Oct 2021)
10. “You face challenges with housing, loans, and banking…” (Oct 2022)
11. “I would love to see people not get hurt for this anymore.” (Oct 2022)
12. “I want it to be legalized… there’s nothing you could show me that I could accomplish with what literally we have right now.” (Apr 2023)
13. “Right now is actually a pretty – like Renaissance – pretty important time that should be enjoyed now.” (Apr 2023)

The Through-Line: What Seven Years of Media Coverage Reveals

Consistency across years: Colin appeared on ABC13 in 2019, 2021 (four times), 2022, and 2023. Through every shift in Texas cannabis law, ABC13 returned to Colin as a primary source.

Breadth of expertise: Features span business reporting, consumer health education, product investigation, legal analysis, political commentary, and community health advocacy. No other Houston cannabis figure spoke to that range of topics.

Community action: The $35,000 COVID vaccine giveaway and proactive Delta-8 removal before enforcement demonstrate community-first philosophy in action.

Personal stakes: Revealing his cannabis conviction history transforms every feature—Colin isn’t an outside entrepreneur; he’s someone who lived the consequences and built a legal business to prove the industry could operate with integrity.

Evolution of language: From “local wholesaler” in 2019 to “industry authority” in 2023, the media record tracks growth of both the business and Colin’s public role.

These features are not marketing materials. They are independently produced, editorially controlled news segments from a major-market ABC affiliate that repeatedly identified Colin Valencia as the most credible voice in Houston’s legal cannabis industry. That’s recognition that cannot be purchased—it can only be earned.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Research Method and Evidence Weighting

This section prioritizes sources in the following order: human clinical evidence, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, NIH and other institutional summaries, then mechanistic or preclinical literature when human data are sparse. That weighting matters because the evidence base is not evenly distributed. Of the compounds listed, CBD and delta-9 THC have the strongest human literature; delta-8 THC, THCa, CBG, CBN, CBC, and most terpenes are still much more dependent on reviews, animal work, in vitro pharmacology, or early translational literature [1]-[29].

Institutional Baseline from NIH and Related Sources

• NCCIH states that the strongest established cannabinoid evidence is for certain rare epilepsies, chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, and appetite or weight-loss indications associated with HIV/AIDS. It notes only modest evidence for chronic pain and multiple-sclerosis-related symptoms, with many other claimed uses still in early-stage research [1].
• NCCIH emphasizes that the FDA has not approved the cannabis plant itself for medical use, although purified CBD and synthetic THC-like drugs have specific approvals [1].
• Safety concerns repeatedly highlighted include impairment, motor vehicle crash risk, cannabis use disorder, pregnancy-related concerns, accidental pediatric exposure, contamination or labeling inaccuracy, and THC-vape lung-injury concerns [1].
• NCCIH specifically warns that over-the-counter CBD products may differ from labels and that CBD itself has been associated with decreased alertness, gastrointestinal effects, liver-related adverse effects, and drug interactions [1].

Cannabinoids

CBD

• Evidence profile: Strongest human evidence in the current formula set, especially when studied as purified product [1]-[6].
• Best supported: Purified CBD has the most credible human evidence in seizure disorders [1][2].
• Anxiety research: 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis covering 316 participants across eight articles reported statistically significant anxiolytic signal, but authors stressed clinical sample remains limited and more trials are needed [3].
• Pain research: 2024 systematic review concluded pain literature is promising but heterogeneous, with trial quality and consistency limiting broad analgesic claims [4].
• Sleep research: 2023 insomnia review found literature remains methodologically weak, with many studies relying on nonvalidated subjective measures [5].
• Safety concerns: 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis found real signal for liver enzyme elevation and possible drug-induced liver injury, especially relevant for concentrated oral products and polypharmacy settings [6]. NCCIH flags diarrhea, sleepiness, appetite change, mood effects, liver-function abnormalities, and drug-drug interactions [1].
• Bottom line: CBD is the most evidence-developed nonintoxicating cannabinoid, but strong evidence is concentrated in specific indications rather than broad wellness claims [1]-[6].

CBG

• Evidence profile: Mostly review-level and preclinical; human evidence remains sparse [7][8].
• Pharmacology: CBG is biosynthetic precursor to several major cannabinoids with interactions spanning cannabinoid receptors, alpha-2 adrenoceptors, and 5-HT1A-related signaling—mechanistically interesting but not clinically established [7].
• Research areas: Reviews discuss possible relevance to neurologic disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and antibacterial activity—primarily pharmacology-led hypotheses or preclinical findings [7][8].
• Caution: 2021 pharmacology review notes CBG is already being sold commercially while evidence base remains thin—claims frequently outrun science [7].
• Bottom line: CBG is serious research topic but should be described as promising minor cannabinoid with limited clinical validation rather than proven therapeutic [7][8].

Delta-8 THC

• Evidence profile: Pharmacologically relevant, psychoactive, much less clinically characterized than delta-9 THC [9]-[11].
• Comparative pharmacology: 2022 review concluded delta-8 and delta-9 THC have broadly similar pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior. Delta-8 THC is partial CB1 agonist with cannabimimetic activity in animals and humans, but appears less potent than delta-9 THC, likely because of weaker CB1 affinity [9].
• Public-health literature: 2023 scoping review found delta-8 evidence base dominated by animal studies, product chemistry, use reports, and public-health concerns rather than strong modern human trials. Review noted reports of adverse consequences and emphasized regulatory and product-quality concerns [10].
• Manufacturing context: Recent chemistry and pharmacology review reinforces that commercial delta-8 interest is tied to greater stability and easier synthesis relative to naturally scarce plant levels—part of why product-byproduct and lab-testing questions matter [11].
• Bottom line: Delta-8 THC should be treated as psychoactive THC analogue with real pharmacologic activity, incomplete human safety characterization, and more manufacturing-quality uncertainty than many consumers realize [9]-[11].

THCa

• Evidence profile: Important chemically and formulation-wise, but still low on direct human therapeutic evidence [12].
• What it is: THCa is acidic precursor of THC and may represent large share of THC-related content in raw plant material. Key formulation issue is that THCa decarboxylates into THC during heating and can change over time during storage and processing [12].
• Psychoactivity: Major review source stresses THCa itself does not produce psychoactive effects associated with THC in humans, but distinction only holds if molecule stays in acidic form and is not substantially decarboxylated [12].
• Research status: In vitro and rodent literature suggest anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and antineoplastic possibilities, but these are not equivalent to established human outcomes [12].
• Bottom line: THCa is best understood as highly relevant precursor molecule whose interpretation depends heavily on route, temperature, processing, and storage. Any claim about THCa needs to account for possible conversion into THC [12].

Delta-9 THC

• Evidence profile: Strongest human evidence of psychoactive cannabinoids listed, but also clearest adverse-effect burden [1][13]-[15].
• Institutionally best supported: NCCIH identifies THC-containing cannabinoid medicines as relevant to chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, appetite and weight loss in HIV/AIDS, and some multiple-sclerosis- and pain-related outcomes, while stressing many other uses remain uncertain or early-stage [1].
• Pain evidence: 2022 systematic review of cannabis-based products for chronic pain found products with high THC content or comparable THC:CBD ratios may provide short-term pain benefit, but also increased dizziness, sedation, nausea, and treatment discontinuation due to adverse events [13].
• Pharmacokinetics: Classic pharmacokinetic review literature remains useful: inhaled THC produces effects within seconds to minutes, peaks roughly within 15-30 minutes, and tapers over few hours; oral THC has later onset, later peak, and longer duration, which matters for both benefit and overconsumption risk [14].
• Mental-health risk: 2025 systematic review of high-concentration THC products found consistent unfavorable associations with psychosis or schizophrenia outcomes and cannabis use disorder, with additional concerning signals for anxiety and depression in nontherapeutic settings [15].
• Broader safety: Institutional and review literature describe anxiety or panic at high doses, tachycardia, blood-pressure changes, dependency potential, withdrawal symptoms, pregnancy concerns, accidental pediatric exposure, and vape-related lung-injury concerns in THC-containing products [1][14][15].
• Bottom line: Delta-9 THC has legitimate therapeutic relevance in some settings, but also carries clearest intoxication, psychiatric, and dose-related safety liabilities [1][13]-[15].

CBN

• Evidence profile: Weak human evidence; marketing has clearly moved ahead of data [12][16][17].
• What marketed for: Sleep and sedation. Reputation is widespread, but clinical support far thinner than market suggests [16][17].
• Best direct review for sleep claim: 2021 narrative review on CBN and sleep screened 99 human-study abstracts, reviewed eight full-text articles, and found no clinical trials using validated sleep questionnaires or formal polysomnography that could substantiate strong sleep-promoting claims for CBN [16].
• Broader sleep literature: 2024 updated review on cannabis and sleep concluded overall cannabinoid sleep research still does not match scale of real-world use, and need for better-designed, adequately powered trials remains substantial [17].
• Chemical context: Downstream cannabinoid degradation pathways matter here; review literature on THCa notes THC can further degrade toward CBN under certain conditions, which helps explain why CBN is often discussed in aging or oxidized cannabis chemistry contexts [12].
• Bottom line: CBN is one of clearest examples in this field where cultural reputation is stronger than current clinical evidence base [16][17].

CBC

• Evidence profile: Emerging, intriguing, still overwhelmingly preclinical or review-based [18][19].
• Pharmacology and therapeutic interest: 2024 focused review on CBC argues it has distinct pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and receptor behavior relative to better-known cannabinoids, and highlights antinociceptive, antibacterial, and anti-seizure areas as especially interesting research targets [18].
• What older literature shows: Review literature summarizing CBC in animal and in vitro work reports anti-inflammatory effects, reduced gut hypermobility, modest rodent analgesic activity, and possible neurobiological or antiproliferative relevance, but these signals are not yet strong evidence for patient-facing claims [19].
• Safety caveat: 2024 CBC review explicitly notes that over-the-counter CBC products are already being sold despite little evidence establishing clinical efficacy or safety [18].
• Bottom line: CBC belongs in category of scientifically credible minor cannabinoids that deserve more research, not category of already-validated clinical actives [18][19].

Terpenes

Terpene claims need even stricter interpretation than cannabinoid claims. Much of terpene literature comes from isolated compounds, essential oils, non-cannabis plants, or preclinical models rather than controlled human studies of cannabis formulations. 2024 entourage-effect review makes this especially important: terpene bioactivity is plausible and sometimes compelling, but robust proof of clinically meaningful entourage effects in humans remains limited [20][29].

Limonene

• Evidence profile: Largely review and preclinical, with useful safety literature [20]-[22].
• Potential activity: 2021 review describes limonene as multifunctional monoterpene with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, gastroprotective, immune-modulatory, and other possible activities, but overwhelming share of those claims comes from nonhuman or non-cannabis literature [21].
• Safety note: Limonene oxidation products, especially hydroperoxides, are clinically relevant contact allergens and are important in patch-testing literature [22].
• Bottom line: Limonene is biologically active and widely discussed, but cannabis-specific therapeutic claims should stay conservative unless directly supported in humans [20]-[22].

Myrcene

• Evidence profile: Mostly preclinical, with very limited human evidence [20][23].
• Research summary: 2021 myrcene review describes anxiolytic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties and discusses possible mechanisms, but explicitly states human studies are lacking [23].
• Interpretation caution: Myrcene is often invoked in consumer language as if it were proven sedating terpene that explains couch-lock or sleep effects. That is stronger claim than human evidence currently supports [20][23].
• Bottom line: Myrcene is plausible bioactive terpene, but compound-specific clinical claims about mood, pain, or sedation remain far ahead of definitive human proof [23].

Caryophyllene

• Evidence profile: Among most mechanistically interesting terpenes because of direct cannabinoid-system relevance, but still mostly preclinical [24].
• Why it stands out: 2021 focused review describes beta-caryophyllene as selective CB2 receptor agonist, which is unusual and makes it especially relevant when discussing cannabis terpenes in pharmacologic rather than purely aromatic terms [24].
• Research themes: Anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, gastroprotective, and related actions repeatedly discussed in review literature, but human clinical confirmation remains limited [24].
• Bottom line: Beta-caryophyllene is arguably strongest candidate for terpene with cannabinoid-system significance, but it still should not be described as clinically proven for outcomes commonly attributed to it [24].

Pinene

• Evidence profile: Promising preclinical literature, weak human clinical confirmation [20][25].
• Brain-health framing: 2021 review on pinene and linalool as terpene-based medicines for brain health found antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective signals that justify future study, but also emphasized evidence is mostly preclinical and well-designed clinical trials are lacking [25].
• Interpretation caution: Claims that pinene reliably improves memory, sharpens attention, or counterbalances THC-related cognitive effects remain interesting hypotheses rather than settled clinical facts [20][25].
• Bottom line: Pinene deserves scientific attention, but strong cognition-related claims should be presented as exploratory [25].

Linalool

• Evidence profile: Similar to pinene: substantial preclinical interest, limited direct clinical confirmation [20][22][25][26].
• Research summary: Linalool is repeatedly discussed in relation to stress, mood, and brain-health pharmacology. 2021 brain-health review found enough preclinical signal to justify continued investigation in neurological and psychiatric contexts, while still emphasizing lack of robust human trials [25].
• Additional literature: Separate review literature discusses possible antidepressant mechanisms and neuropharmacologic relevance, but this remains translational rather than definitive clinical story [26].
• Safety note: As with limonene, oxidized linalool hydroperoxides are recognized allergens in dermatitis literature [22].
• Bottom line: Linalool is scientifically credible as bioactive terpene, but current evidence supports cautious phrasing rather than firm therapeutic promises [22][25][26].

Humulene

• Evidence profile: Translationally interesting, but still early [20][27].
• Scoping-review findings: 2024 scoping review analyzed 340 articles and found broad preclinical evidence for anti-inflammatory and other biologic effects, with some rodent work even suggesting cannabimimetic properties via CB1 and adenosine A2a pathways [27].
• Interpretation caution: Those findings are valuable for hypothesis generation, but they do not yet establish consistent human efficacy across pain, inflammation, or mood outcomes [27].
• Bottom line: Humulene is one of more interesting terpene research targets in this list, but it remains far from clinically settled [27].

Terpinolene

• Evidence profile: One of least clinically characterized terpenes in this file [20][28].
• Systematic-review findings: 2021 terpinolene review screened 2,449 records and included 57 studies, concluding terpinolene has range of reported biological effects but evidence base is still dominated by in silico, in vitro, and animal studies rather than human trials [28].
• Interpretation caution: Even recent cannabis entourage reviews frame terpene benefits as exploratory, not as established compound-specific clinical effects [20].
• Bottom line: Terpinolene is biologically interesting, but among listed terpenes it remains especially underdeveloped clinically [20][28].

Research Limits and Interpretation

• Evidence base is highly uneven. CBD and delta-9 THC can support most detailed human-facing statements; rest require more caution [1]-[29].
• Whole-cannabis extract data, purified-molecule data, semisynthetic cannabinoid data, and terpene-only data are not interchangeable. One common error in cannabis writing is to let evidence from one category stand in for another.
• Minor cannabinoids and terpenes are commercially interesting precisely because they are underexplored, but that also means claims around them often become inflated.
• Product quality matters as much as molecule identity. Labeling inaccuracies, contamination, synthesis byproducts, dose variability, and route-dependent pharmacokinetics all materially affect interpretation in real-world products [1][10][11][14].
• For THCa in particular, chemistry is destiny: storage and heating can change actual exposure profile by converting acidic cannabinoids into neutral cannabinoids such as THC [12].

Common Overstatements to Avoid

• Overstatement: CBN is clinically proven sleep cannabinoid.
  More accurate: Specific sleep evidence for CBN remains weak and dated, with no strong validated-trial base yet identified [16][17].

• Overstatement: Myrcene is proven human sedative that reliably explains couch-lock.
  More accurate: Myrcene has plausible preclinical bioactivity, but direct human proof for that common claim is limited [20][23].

• Overstatement: Terpenes in general have proven entourage effects in patients.
  More accurate: Entourage hypotheses are influential and worth studying, but robust clinical proof remains limited and highly compound-specific [20][29].

• Overstatement: THCa is always nonpsychoactive.
  More accurate: THCa itself is not THC, but heating and processing can convert THCa into THC, changing effective exposure [12].

• Overstatement: Delta-8 THC is safe because it is hemp-derived.
  More accurate: Delta-8 THC is psychoactive, pharmacologically close to delta-9 THC, and often entangled with manufacturing and testing concerns [9]-[11].

Practical Takeaways for Our Formulas

• Most evidence-developed actives are CBD and delta-9 THC.
• Delta-8 THC is not trivial or purely mild ingredient; it is psychoactive cannabinoid with less robust safety and efficacy characterization than delta-9 THC.
• THCa meaningfully changes with processing and should not be interpreted same way in raw, gently handled, and heated formats.
• CBG, CBN, and CBC are scientifically credible but clinically immature compared with CBD and THC.
• Listed terpenes are likely highly relevant to aroma, flavor, and potentially some biologic activity, but compound-specific human therapeutic claims should be made carefully and only where directly supported.

Complete Reference List [1]-[29]

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2. Talwar A, Estes E, Aparasu R, Reddy DS. Clinical efficacy and safety of cannabidiol for pediatric refractory epilepsy indications: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Exp Neurol. 2023;359:114238. PMID: 36206805.
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10. LoParco CR, Rossheim ME, Walters ST, Zhou Z, Olsson S, Sussman SY. Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol: A scoping review and commentary. Addiction. 2023;118(6):1011-1028. PMID: 36710464.
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12. Moreno-Sanz G. Can You Pass the Acid Test? Critical review and novel therapeutic perspectives of delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid A. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2016;1(1):124-130. PMID: 28861488.
13. McDonagh MS, Morasco BJ, Wagner J, Ahmed AY, Fu R, Kansagara D, Chou R. Cannabis-based products for chronic pain: A systematic review. Ann Intern Med. 2022;175(8):1143-1153. PMID: 35667066.
14. Grotenhermen F. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2003;42(4):327-360. PMID: 12648025.
15. Rittiphairoj T, Leslie L, Oberste JP, Yim TW, Tung G, Bero L, Riggs P, Hutchison K, Samet J, Li T. High-concentration delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis products and mental health outcomes: A systematic review. Ann Intern Med. 2025;178(10):1429-1440. PMID: 40854216.
16. Corroon J. Cannabinol and sleep: Separating fact from fiction. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2021;6(5):366-371. PMID: 34468204.
17. Lavender I, Garden G, Grunstein RR, Yee BJ, Hoyos CM. Using cannabis and CBD to sleep: An updated review. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2024;26(12):712-727. PMID: 39612156.
18. Sepulveda DE, Vrana KE, Kellogg JJ, Bisanz JE, Desai D, Graziane NM, Raup-Konsavage WM. The potential of cannabichromene as a therapeutic agent. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2024;391(2):206-213. PMID: 38777605.
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20. André R, Gomes AP, Pereira-Leite C, Marques-da-Costa A, Monteiro Rodrigues