Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) in Kodiak Island Borough: The Complete Guide by OilWell Cannabis

Living on Kodiak Island teaches you something about self-reliance. When the ferry schedule is weathered out, when the Coast Guard helicopter can’t fly, when you’re facing another long winter night—Kodiak Islanders figure things out. That same spirit is what brought us to cannabis medicine in the first place. We’re OilWell Cannabis, and we’re here to offer Kodiak Island Borough residents something that mirrors your own values: honest science, transparent formulas, and products that put you in control.

What is Rick Simpson Oil, Really?

If you’ve spent any time in Kodiak’s fishing communities, you’ve heard stories. The skipper who rubbed cannabis oil on his arthritic hands after decades of hauling nets. The cannery worker who found relief from chronic pain after the pills stopped working. The Coast Guard spouse managing chemo side effects when the clinic in Anchorage felt a world away. These stories trace back to one man—Rick Simpson—and understanding his legacy is the first step to understanding what RSO truly is.

Rick Simpson wasn’t a doctor. He was a power engineer from Nova Scotia, a blue-collar tradesman who got hurt on the job in 1997 and found that the medical system had nothing for him but pills that made things worse. When he discovered cannabis provided relief his doctors wouldn’t acknowledge, he started making concentrated oil himself—using naphtha or rubbing alcohol in a rice cooker, squeezing it into syringes, and giving it away for free to cancer patients and neighbors in pain.

The pivotal moment came in 2003 when Simpson claimed cannabis oil removed his skin cancer lesions in four days. No biopsy. No doctor’s confirmation. Just his word—and the word of dozens who came to him desperate for options. He became a crusader, documenting his process in the 2005 documentary Run From The Cure, which spread through cannabis communities worldwide the way fishing stories travel across Kodiak’s docks: person to person, from those who’ve seen it work.

By 2009, the RCMP had raided him twice. He left Canada for Europe, living in Croatia and the Netherlands, continuing his advocacy from afar. He published Phoenix Tears in 2012 and maintained that pharmaceutical companies and governments were suppressing a cancer cure. He wasn’t a scientist—he was a man who believed he’d found something real and couldn’t understand why the world wouldn’t listen.

Here’s the honest truth Kodiak Island needs to hear: Simpson’s personal testimony is historically significant, but it’s not medical evidence. His 60-gram, 90-day protocol—starting with a half-grain of rice-sized dose and building to a full gram of oil daily—delivers 600-900mg of THC per day. That’s 30-45 times the FDA-approved dose of synthetic THC, with no clinical validation, no standardized testing, and real risks at those concentrations. Traditional RSO was crude, variable, and used toxic solvents that could leave carcinogenic residues. It destroyed terpenes during production and had zero quality control. Every batch was different because every plant was different.

Yet Simpson got something fundamentally right: he proved that people in pain will find alternatives when the system fails them. In Kodiak, where the nearest specialist might be a flight to Anchorage away, where veteran care is stretched thin, where chronic pain from commercial fishing injuries is a badge too many wear—Simpson’s intuition resonates. People deserve access. People deserve transparency. People deserve products that don’t require a medical card, a plane ticket, or a doctor’s permission slip that might never come.

From a Paralyzed Dog to a Kodiak-Ready Formula

OilWell Cannabis didn’t start in a boardroom. It started with Bentley, a dog Colin Valencia loved more than anything. When veterinarians said Bentley was paralyzed and needed euthanasia, Colin refused. A rescue worker asked the question that changed everything: “You’ve moved how many tons of weed and you’ve never heard of CBD?” Colin made CBD golden paste—a recipe he still publishes for free. Bentley got up, walked across the room, and brought his ball to play. Bentley lived ten more years, dying naturally at age twenty.

Dogs don’t respond to placebo. That lesson—learned in a Houston apartment, not a lab—drives everything we do. It drove Colin to learn software engineering and do custom development for Baylor College of Medicine. It drove him to spend a decade formulating for every condition Bentley faced: neurodegeneration (CBG), dementia (CBC), glaucoma (THC), arthritis (multi-pathway anti-inflammation). Single cannabinoids weren’t enough. The body doesn’t work that way. Pain doesn’t work that way. Life on Kodiak—in the canneries, on the boats, in the Coast Guard—doesn’t work that way.

When Colin faced his own PTSD and Xanax addiction, he used the same knowledge to quit cold turkey. The Peace Gummies you see on our site? He created them during midnight experiments fighting benzo withdrawal. The vape he personally uses for insomnia and PTSD? That’s the same formula Kodiak Coast Guard families can access.

Why Our RSO is Different—And Why That Matters for Kodiak

Traditional RSO was a blunt instrument: one strain, one solvent, one outcome. Our RSO is a precision tool designed for people who need options that fit island life.

Here’s what we mean:

Alaska Legal Reality—And How We Navigate It

Alaska legalized adult-use cannabis in 2014. You can possess, grow, and purchase cannabis products from licensed dispensaries. But here’s what Kodiak Island Borough residents face: the nearest licensed dispensary is in Anchorage—290 miles and a $400 flight away. That’s not accessibility. That’s a barrier.

Our RSO products are hemp-derived, Farm Bill compliant, and contain only 90mg of Delta-9 THC in the entire 30mL bottle—well under the federal 0.3% threshold. This means we can ship directly to your door in Kodiak, no medical card required, no trip to Anchorage necessary. You’re 21 or older? You can order. The Coast Guard member stationed at Base Kodiak whose spouse is managing chemo? Legal. The commercial fisherman with chronic back pain from 30 years on deck? Legal. The elder in Larsen Bay dealing with arthritis when the clinic is an hour’s skiff ride away? Legal.

Your responsibility: Understand that THCa converts to THC when heated. If you choose to decarb, you’re creating a psychoactive product. That’s your choice, your control, your compliance with Alaska law. We provide the raw materials; you decide the final form.

The Science Behind What We Ship to Kodiak

Every cannabinoid in our formula has a story and a citation. Here’s what the evidence says—and what it doesn’t:

CBD (4,500mg): Best evidence for seizure disorders, with emerging data for anxiety [3] and pain [4]. In Kodiak, where specialist appointments require ferry trips, having a non-intoxicating option matters. Our 2023 hepatotoxicity review [6] found liver enzyme elevation risks, so start low if you have liver concerns—especially relevant given alcohol use patterns in some fishing communities.

CBG (3,000mg): The “mother cannabinoid” with preclinical neuroprotective promise [7][8]. For Coast Guard families dealing with PTSD or Kodiak elders facing cognitive decline, this is where the science is heading—not where it definitively is yet. We’re transparent about that.

Delta-8 THC (6,000mg): Provides THC-like pain relief with reportedly less anxiety [9]. The 2023 public health review [10] documented real adverse events, so respect the dose. On Kodiak, where a bad weather day can trap you inside, understanding psychoactive effects matters for safety.

THCa (1,500mg): The game-changer. Non-psychoactive COX-2 inhibitor [12]—think ibuprofen-like anti-inflammation without the stomach damage. For Kodiak’s fishing crews icing down shoulders and knees, this is daytime relief you can use while operating machinery. Heat it, and it becomes ~1,315mg THC—your choice.

Delta-9 THC (90mg): Just enough to support the entourage effect [20][29] without dominating the experience. NCCIH acknowledges its role in nausea and pain [1][13]. At 3mg/mL, you’re not getting “high” unless you decarb the THCa.

CBN (750mg): Marketed for sleep, but the 2021 review found zero human trials using validated sleep measures [16]. Our 2024 sleep literature update [17] confirms the evidence gap. We include it at 25mg/mL because that’s what the research used, but we’re honest: the science is thin.

CBC (750mg): Preclinical anti-inflammatory and neurogenic potential [18][19]. For Kodiak’s aging population or those with chronic inflammatory conditions, it’s a promising minor player—not a proven star.

Terpenes: Our 5% blend (limonene, myrcene, caryophyllene, pinene, linalool, humulene, terpinolene) is based on 2024 entourage research [20]. Caryophyllene’s CB2 activation [24] may reduce inflammation—crucial for repetitive strain injuries common in cannery work. But we won’t claim terpenes cure anything. The evidence doesn’t support that.

How Kodiak Islanders Use Our RSO

For the commercial fisherman – After a 16-hour setnet opener, your hands are swollen, your back is screaming, and you need sleep before the tide changes. Start with 0.5mL raw sublingual oil (280mg cannabinoids, zero psychoactivity) when you hit the bunk. If pain spikes at 2 AM, 2-3 vape puffs deliver relief in 90 seconds. The THCa keeps inflammation down for tomorrow’s haul-out.

For the Coast Guard spouse – Managing chemo side effects while your partner is on patrol requires stealth and reliability. The vape fits in your pocket for nausea breakthroughs at the clinic. The sublingual oil at 1mL before bed (with 25mg CBN) helps when anxiety about solo parenting keeps you awake. Raw form means you can function for kids’ school runs.

For the processing plant worker – Repetitive motion injuries are cumulative. 0.3mL raw oil in your morning coffee (THCa won’t decarb in hot liquid) provides baseline anti-inflammatory support. After your shift, 1.0mL decarbed oil targets deeper pain while you sleep. The caryophyllene in our terpene profile specifically addresses inflammatory pathways activated by tendon strain.

For the veteran with PTSD – Colin’s story is your story. The vape is your go-to for flashbacks—1-2 minutes to relief. Peace Gummies (our benzo-withdrawal-born product) are your maintenance. Our RSO oil at 0.5mL raw during the day keeps you functional for work at the base or harbor; 1.0mL decarbed at night quiets the nightmares.

For the elder in Ouzinkie – Arthritis doesn’t care that the clinic is a skiff ride away. Our graduated dropper lets you start at 0.25mL (138mg total cannabinoids) and find your minimum effective dose. Shipping to rural Kodiak addresses means you don’t need to make that trip until you’re ready.

From Houston’s News to Kodiak’s Door: Our Media Record

ABC13 Houston—America’s fourth-largest market—featured Colin seven times from 2019 to 2023. Five different reporters sought him out. Why does that matter for Kodiak? Because mainstream media validation from a major-market affiliate means we’re not a fly-by-night internet brand. We’re a documented, vetted operation.

September 2019 – Tom Abrahams introduced us with Colin’s foundational quote: “I’m not trying to sell people snake oil… There’s enough research out there that people just need to know and try and have the best possible version.” That commitment to education over hype is what you’ll find in this guide.

May 2021 – Steve Campion’s investigative piece on Delta-8 featured Colin’s blunt honesty: “Maybe you want to get high.” In Kodiak, where people speak plainly and value straight talk, that candor matters. We won’t soft-sell psychoactivity. We’ll tell you exactly what each cannabinoid does.

October 2021 – When Texas banned Delta-8 overnight, Shelley Childers found Colin had already pulled all products from shelves and was warning competitors. That’s integrity. That’s what you want from a company shipping to your remote community—someone who puts safety ahead of profit.

October 2022 – Nick Natario’s piece on Biden’s pardon revealed Colin’s personal marijuana conviction. We don’t hide our past. We built a legal business from it. For Kodiak residents who’ve faced legal challenges, who understand that people deserve second chances, that transparency builds trust.

April 2023 – Natario filmed Colin growing hemp, calling it a “Renaissance.” For Kodiak’s agricultural community, that vision resonates. Hemp could be a future crop for Alaska. We’re living that future now.

These features weren’t purchased. They were earned. In Kodiak, where reputation is everything and word travels through the fleet, that kind of third-party credibility is currency.

Shipping to Kodiak: How It Works

We know the challenges of island logistics. Our system is built for them.

Houston to Kodiak: We ship via USPS Priority Mail (2-3 business days to Anchorage, distribution to Kodiak varies). Every package is temperature-stable for Alaska’s climate, discreetly packaged with no cannabis branding, and includes:

• Full Certificate of Analysis (COA) proving Farm Bill compliance
• Itemized receipt for customs/travel purposes
• THCa decarboxylation instructions printed on waterproof paper

Kodiak Island Borough addresses: We ship to all communities—Kodiak city, Womens Bay, Port Lions, Ouzinkie, Larsen Bay, Old Harbor, Akhiok. Rural route boxes, PO boxes, harbor addresses. If USPS delivers, we deliver.

Cost: Flat-rate shipping means Kodiak pays the same as Anchorage or Juneau. No “remote location” upcharge. Because accessibility means not penalizing people for where they live.

International concerns: If you’re stationed at Base Kodiak and transferring overseas, our international shipping includes full documentation. We’ve delivered to six continents. The same THCa framework that makes it legal in Alaska makes it legal in most NATO countries, Japan, and other jurisdictions—check local laws, but we provide the paperwork.

The Formulas: Complete Transparency

This is where we honor Rick Simpson’s “give it away free” ethos in a modern form. Below is our exact formula—the same one that costs $129.99 on our site, published here so you can source ingredients and make it yourself if Kodiak’s economy makes a $130 bottle a stretch this month.

RSO Sublingual Oil Formula

• Live Terpenes: 5% (50mg/mL)

  • Limonene: Mood lift (citrus notes reminiscent of Kodiak’s summer salmonberries)
  • Myrcene: Relaxation (earthy, grounding)
  • Caryophyllene: CB2 anti-inflammatory [24]—key for joint pain from fishing gear
  • Pinene: Mental clarity (like the Sitka spruce forests)
  • Linalool: Calm (lavender-like, for those dark winter nights)
  • Humulene: Additional anti-inflammatory [27]
  • Terpinolene: Complex fruity/pine profile

• Base: Organic MCT oil—neutral taste, no fishy aftertaste competing with your dinner catch

RSO Vape Cartridge Formula (1 Gram)

Same terpene profile, different ratios:

Safety for Kodiak’s Unique Environment

Operating boats/vehicles: If you choose to decarb and activate THC, do not operate skiffs, trucks, or ATVs. The psychoactive dose is real. Use raw THCa form for daytime work.

Cold storage: Alaskan cold preserves THCa. Leave your bottle in a warm cabin and you might see slight conversion over months. Store below 70°F if you want to maintain raw form. The fridge works perfectly.

Alcohol interactions: Kodiak’s social culture sometimes includes heavy drinking. Combining high-dose THC with alcohol amplifies impairment and nausea. If you’re using our product, moderate accordingly. The MCT oil base is liver-friendly, but delta-9 THC plus alcohol stresses the system.

Fishing industry drug testing: Commercial fishing operations and the Coast Guard maintain drug-free workplace policies. THCa in raw form will not trigger standard urine tests focused on THC metabolites. Delta-8 THC and activated/decarboxylated THC will. Use the raw form if testing is a concern, and understand that activated forms carry employment risk.

Pregnancy: As with alcohol, we advise against cannabinoid use during pregnancy. The evidence on developmental impact is inconclusive but concerning enough to recommend caution [1].

Child safety: Keep products secured like you would firearms or prescription meds. The vape’s candy-like terpene aroma could attract kids. The graduated dropper on the oil bottle is child-resistant but not child-proof.

Kodiak-Specific Resources

We recognize that RSO is one tool, not a miracle. If you’re dealing with serious health issues, please connect with local resources:

• Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA): Provides integrated healthcare including behavioral health services. Their pharmacy can discuss potential drug interactions with our RSO.
• Coast Guard Base Kodiak Medical: For active-duty and families, the clinic can provide guidance on cannabinoid use and military policy.
• Kodiak Island Ambulatory Care Clinic: For cancer patients considering supportive care, their oncology liaisons can discuss how RSO might fit into treatment plans.
• Kodiak Area Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Task Force: For those using cannabinoids for PTSD or anxiety, professional mental health support is crucial. Our products complement, never replace, therapy.

The Bottom Line for Kodiak Island

We started OilWell because a paralyzed dog got up and played fetch. We built our formulas because a man with PTSD needed to quit Xanax without dying. We publish our recipes because Rick Simpson gave his oil away for free, and we believe that spirit matters more than profit margins.

Kodiak Island Borough residents understand hardship. You understand doing what needs to be done when the system is slow or absent. You understand that nature—whether it’s the Bering Sea or the cannabis plant—holds tools that work when used with respect.

Our RSO isn’t traditional Rick Simpson Oil. It’s better: multi-cannabinoid precision, solvent-free safety, terpene complexity, patient-controlled potency, and legal accessibility that ships to your door whether you’re in downtown Kodiak or a remote cabin in Uyak Bay.

One product. Three uses. Zero BS. That’s the OilWell promise to Kodiak Island.

This product contains hemp-derived cannabinoids with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC. It is Farm Bill compliant and legal to ship to Alaska. You must be 21+ to purchase. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before use. Do not operate vehicles or machinery under the influence of activated THC. Keep out of reach of children. Customer assumes responsibility for compliance with local laws regarding THCa decarboxylation. Void where prohibited.

Ready to order? Visit oilwellcbd.com or call (832) 416-2816. We ship to all Kodiak Island Borough addresses.