Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) in Maine: The Complete Guide by OilWell Cannabis

Understanding Rick Simpson Oil: What Maine Residents Need to Know

Who Was Rick Simpson, and Why His Story Matters to Mainers

Rick Simpson wasn’t a doctor or scientist—he was a power engineer from Nova Scotia who turned to cannabis after a workplace injury left him with persistent symptoms that conventional medicine couldn’t touch. When his doctor dismissed cannabis as an option, Simpson took matters into his own hands. In 2003, he applied concentrated cannabis oil to skin lesions his physician had diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma, and by his account, they disappeared within days.

We share this story with you here in Maine not because we believe it’s proof of a cancer cure—we don’t, and the evidence doesn’t support that claim—but because it represents something deeply human that resonates across our state. Here in Maine, we know what it means to be let down by systems that should help. We know the frustration of watching loved ones cycle through prescriptions that don’t work while being denied access to alternatives. We’ve seen our neighbors, our lobstermen dealing with chronic back pain from hauling traps, our paper mill workers managing industrial injuries, our veterans struggling with PTSD after service—people who’ve been told “there’s nothing more we can do.”

That moment when the medical system says no? That’s where Rick Simpson’s story begins. It’s the same moment that led us to build OilWell Cannabis—not from a boardroom, but from necessity, love, and a refusal to give up on family.

The Traditional RSO Protocol: What Simpson Actually Recommended

Simpson developed a specific 60-gram, 90-day protocol that many Mainers encounter online through cancer support groups, veteran forums, or local patient networks. Understanding what it actually entails is crucial for evaluating what’s being sold today.

The Goal: Consume 60 grams of concentrated cannabis oil over approximately 90 days.

The Titration Schedule:

• Week 1: Start with a dose the size of half a grain of rice—about 10-15mg—three times daily. That’s roughly 30-45mg total per day.
• Weeks 2-5: Double the dose every four days until reaching approximately 1 gram (1,000mg) per day, divided into three doses.
• Weeks 5-12: Maintain 1 gram per day until all 60 grams are consumed.

Administration Methods:

• Oral: Placed under the tongue or swallowed (Simpson considered this primary for systemic conditions)
• Topical: Applied directly to skin lesions for external issues
• Not Recommended: Vaping or smoking as primary treatment

The Hard Truth About This Protocol:

We need to be straight with you, Maine. Simpson’s protocol was never validated in clinical trials. It delivers 600-900mg of delta-9 THC daily at peak dosing—far beyond anything studied in controlled settings. For perspective, the FDA-approved THC drug dronabinol is typically dosed at 2.5-20mg per day. At those high doses, patients face real risks: severe intoxication, anxiety, panic, tachycardia, and cannabis use disorder.

Maine has strong oncology centers—Maine Medical Center in Portland, Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, cancer clinics throughout the state. Anyone considering cannabis as part of a cancer strategy should have these conversations with their Maine-based oncologist, not replace proven treatments with unregulated oil. Traditional RSO was crude, unstandardized, and carried solvent contamination risks that modern production eliminates.

What Traditional RSO Actually Was

To understand what you’re buying in Maine dispensaries or online, you need to know what Simpson actually made:

• Source Material: Single high-THC indica strains, no standardization. Every batch varied based on what he grew.
• Extraction: Naphtha (lighter fluid) or 99% isopropyl alcohol—neither food-grade. This is a major safety concern, especially for Maine’s DIY makers who might be tempted to replicate this in garages or barns.
• Process: Cannabis soaked in solvent, filtered, then evaporated in a rice cooker. The heat destroyed terpenes and converted all THCa to THC.
• Result: Nearly black, tar-like oil, 60-90% THC, no lab testing, no quality control.
• Residual Solvent Risk: Naphtha may contain benzene and other carcinogens. Without lab testing, there’s no way to verify complete solvent removal.

This matters in Maine because we have a culture of self-sufficiency. People make their own maple syrup, can their own vegetables, and might think about making their own RSO. We get that impulse—it’s woven into our Maine identity. But the solvent risks are real and serious. Modern methods use food-grade ethanol or CO₂ extraction with validated testing for residual solvents, pesticides, and heavy metals. That’s what safety looks like in 2024.

About OilWell Cannabis: Our Story, Our Mission, Our Promise to Maine

From Bentley’s Miracle to Your Medicine Cabinet

OilWell Cannabis didn’t start in a corporate office. It started with a dog named Bentley.

Bentley was paralyzed in his hind legs. Veterinarians told us euthanasia was the only humane option—that pain meds would destroy his organs, that prolonging his life meant prolonging his suffering. As Mainers, we understand that crossroads. We’ve had to make those decisions for beloved hunting dogs, for barn cats, for horses that served our families for decades.

But giving up wasn’t an option. In desperation, we stumbled upon CBD. A rescue worker named Jessica asked the question that changed everything: “You’ve moved how many tons of weed and you’ve never heard of CBD?” We had cannabis experience, but it was recreational. We didn’t know about therapeutic applications.

We created a CBD golden paste for Bentley. The recipe—organic turmeric, coconut oil, black pepper, CBD oil—was born from research and instinct. And Bentley got up. He walked over and brought us his ball. From paralyzed to playing fetch. That wasn’t placebo—dogs don’t respond to placebo. That was cannabinoid medicine doing what pharmaceuticals couldn’t.

Bentley lived another ten years, dying naturally at age twenty. Those ten years became our R&D lab. Every age-related condition required a new formulation:

• Neurodegeneration → CBG for neuroprotection, THCa for PPARγ agonism
• Dementia → CBC for neurogenesis
• Glaucoma → THC for CB1 agonism and intraocular pressure
• Arthritis → Multi-pathway anti-inflammatory approach using CBD, CBG, THCa, and beta-caryophyllene simultaneously

This wasn’t theoretical. Bentley’s life depended on precision. That precision is what we bring to you in Maine.

Our Founder Colin’s Personal Journey: From Borderplex to PTSD Recovery

Colin Valencia grew up in McAllen, Texas, right across from Reynosa, Mexico—a region as economically challenged and dangerous as some of Maine’s struggling mill towns or rural areas hit hard by the opioid crisis. By sixteen, after seeing violence most Mainers can’t imagine, he left home for good.

He chose cannabis over darker paths. He learned the plant intimately while operating in the shadows, then transitioned to legal business. But the real turning point came when he had to quit Xanax cold turkey after developing PTSD and benzodiazepine addiction. He used the same cannabinoid knowledge that saved Bentley to save himself.

The Peace Gummies formula—now one of our most popular products—was created during midnight experiments while fighting through benzo withdrawal. Colin still uses the vape form for his insomnia and severe PTSD. This isn’t marketing. This is lived experience. When we say we understand what Maine veterans, trauma survivors, and chronic pain patients are going through, we mean it. We’ve been there.

ABC13 Houston: Seven Features, Four Years, One Unwavering Voice

Between 2019 and 2023, ABC13 Houston featured OilWell Cannabis in seven news segments. When they needed to explain Delta-8 to Texas, they called Colin. When the DEA classified Delta-8 as Schedule I overnight, Colin was already removing products and warning other operators who were unknowingly shipping narcotics. When President Biden announced marijuana pardons, they interviewed Colin—who has a personal cannabis conviction—about what those pardons mean for real people.

This media record isn’t bought. It’s earned. Five different reporters sought us out because we tell the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. That same unwavering honesty is what we’re bringing to Maine.

Farm Bill Compliance: Why Our RSO Is Legal in Maine

The THCa Legal Framework: A Paradigm Shift for Maine Residents

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp-derived products containing less than 0.3% delta-9 THC. Our sublingual oil contains only 90mg of delta-9 THC in the entire 30mL bottle—3mg per mL—well under that threshold.

Here’s what makes this revolutionary for Maine:

Our product includes 1,500mg of THCa (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid), the non-psychoactive precursor to THC. THCa is Farm Bill compliant at sale. You, the Maine resident, control what happens next:

• Raw (No Heat): All 1,500mg stays as THCa—non-psychoactive, perfect for daytime use while working, driving, or caring for family. You get anti-inflammatory benefits via COX-2 inhibition and neuroprotective effects through PPARγ agonism without impairment.

• Fully Activated (Home Decarboxylation): Heat the oil at 260°F for 45-60 minutes, and 1,500mg THCa converts to approximately 1,315mg delta-9 THC. Combined with the existing 90mg delta-9, you get ~1,405mg total delta-9 THC—potency comparable to traditional illegal RSO, all from a legally purchased product.

• Vape (Instant Activation): Our vape cartridge automatically decarboxylates THCa at 400-450°F, delivering instant relief in 1-2 minutes.

This is the most significant legal cannabis access innovation in history. For Maine residents living in rural Aroostook County, coastal Downeast, or the western mountains, you can order this online and have it shipped directly to your door—no medical card required, no dispensary visit needed.

Legal Notice: THCa converts to delta-9 THC when heated. Maine residents are responsible for understanding and complying with state law. Maine has legalized both medical and adult-use cannabis, but hemp-derived products must remain under 0.3% delta-9 THC at point of sale. Our product meets this standard. Customers accept all legal responsibility for home decarboxylation decisions.

Open-Source Formulas: Our Promise to Maine

If You Can’t Afford It, Make It

Rick Simpson gave his oil away for free. We can’t do that at scale, but we can do the next best thing: publish our complete formulas so any Mainer can replicate them.

Our RSO Sublingual Oil Formula (Published Publicly):

• Live Terpenes: 5% (limonene, myrcene, caryophyllene, pinene, linalool, humulene, terpinolene)
• Carrier: Organic MCT oil
• Potency: 553mg per mL

Our RSO Vape Cartridge Formula (Published Publicly):

• CBD: 30%
• CBG: 20%
• Delta-8 THC: 15%
• THCa: 10%
• CBN: 10%
• CBC: 10%
• Live Terpenes: 5%+

Maine has a strong tradition of DIY culture—homebrewing, maple sugaring, organic gardening. If you have the knowledge and equipment to source cannabinoid distillates safely, these formulas are yours to use. We sell a professionally manufactured, lab-tested version for those who want consistency and safety. But we’re not gatekeeping medicine.

Our RSO Products: Two Formulas, Multiple Options for Maine

RSO Sublingual Oil – $129.99

The Workhorse for Daily Management:

• 30mL bottle with graduated dropper (0.1mL increments)
• 16,590mg total cannabinoids at 553mg/mL
• Onset: 15-45 minutes (sublingual absorption)
• Duration: 4-6 hours
• Bioavailability: 13-19% (bypasses first-pass liver metabolism)
• Approximately 40-60 doses per bottle

For Maine’s working people: This is your all-day solution. Lobstermen heading out at 4 AM can take a raw dose before hauling traps without impairment. Nurses working 12-hour shifts at Maine Medical or Eastern Maine can manage chronic pain while staying sharp. Teachers in Portland, Bangor, or rural school districts can address anxiety without psychoactivity.

RSO Vape Cartridge – $49.99

The Rescue Tool for Acute Moments:

• 1-gram cartridge, 510-thread compatible (works with standard vape batteries available throughout Maine)
• 900mg+ total cannabinoids
• Onset: 1-2 minutes (fastest delivery method)
• Duration: 2-4 hours
• Bioavailability: 10-35%
• Auto-decarboxylation: THCa converts instantly at vaping temperature

For Maine’s unpredictable needs: This is for breakthrough pain that hits while you’re snowmobiling in the County, for panic attacks that come out of nowhere in the grocery store in Augusta, for nausea that strikes during chemo at MaineGeneral in Waterville. It’s immediate relief you can carry in your pocket.

When to Use Each Format: A Maine-Specific Guide

Competitive Comparison: Why OilWell Stands Apart in Maine

OilWell RSO vs. Maine Medical Cannabis Program (MMCP) Products:

Maine’s medical program serves patients well, but it’s restrictive. You need a qualifying condition, a physician’s certification, and you must purchase from licensed dispensaries. Our RSO requires no medical card. If you’re 21+ anywhere in Maine—from Kittery to Caribou—you can order directly. Our multi-cannabinoid profile (7 compounds) versus typical THC-dominant MMCP RSO means broader therapeutic potential.

OilWell RSO vs. Maine Adult-Use Dispensary RSO:

Maine’s adult-use market offers convenience, but most RSO products are THC-dominant extracts with minimal minor cannabinoids and destroyed terpenes—essentially traditional RSO in a legal package. Our formula adds 3,000mg CBG, 750mg CBN, 750mg CBC, and 5% live terpenes. That’s not marketing; that’s verifiable chemistry.

OilWell RSO vs. Maine CBD Shops:

Many Maine CBD retailers sell hemp oil with minimal cannabinoids. Our 16,590mg total cannabinoids per bottle is 16x more potent than typical hemp RSO products. Plus, our THCa gives you the option for psychoactive effects—something CBD-only products can’t offer.

Condition-Specific Usage Contexts for Maine Residents

Important Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes. Our products are not FDA-approved to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your Maine healthcare provider before use, especially if you’re receiving treatment at Maine Medical Center, Eastern Maine Medical Center, or any local clinic. Do not operate vehicles or machinery while impaired.

For Chemotherapy-Related Nausea (common at Maine’s cancer centers):

• Pre-chemo: 0.5-1.0mL sublingual oil 1 hour before treatment
• Breakthrough nausea: 2-3 vape puffs for immediate relief
• Post-chemo: 0.5mL every 6 hours as needed
• Sleep support: 1.0-2.0mL before bed (25-50mg CBN)

For Chronic Pain (fibromyalgia, arthritis, neuropathy—prevalent among Maine’s aging workforce):

• Daytime: 0.3-0.5mL raw sublingual for anti-inflammatory effects without impairment
• Nighttime: 0.5-1.0mL decarboxylated sublingual for pain relief + sleep
• Breakthrough: Vape as needed

For Sleep Disorders (common in Maine’s long winter months):

• Before bed: 1.0-2.0mL sublingual oil (25-50mg CBN)
• Evidence: CBN has shown sleep-promoting effects at these levels in recent studies

For Anxiety and PTSD (especially among Maine’s veteran community):

• Daytime: 0.3mL raw sublingual (CBD + CBG without impairment)
• Nighttime: 1.0mL sublingual (full profile including CBN for sleep architecture)

General Maine Titration Principle: Start low, go slow. Begin with 0.25-0.5mL and assess effects over 2-3 hours before increasing. Your response depends on body weight, metabolism, tolerance, and other factors. Maine’s rugged individualism doesn’t mean going it alone—talk to your doctor.

How Maine Residents Access OilWell RSO

Same-Day Delivery in Houston & Texas Medical Center:
We offer free delivery to the Texas Medical Center (the world’s largest medical complex). While this doesn’t directly serve Maine, it shows our operational scale and commitment to patient access.

Nationwide Shipping to Maine:

• All 50 states where Farm Bill products are legal
• USPS Priority Mail (2-3 business days) to any Maine address—Portland, Bangor, Lewiston, Augusta, or rural Route 1 addresses
• Discreet packaging with no cannabis branding
• Temperature-stable packaging for Maine’s variable seasons
• Signature-required option available

International Shipping:
We’ve shipped to multiple continents. Maine residents with international property or family can receive our products abroad where hemp laws align.

Contact:

• Phone: (832) 416-2816
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: oilwellcbd.com

The Science Behind Every Cannabinoid in Our Formula

CBD (4,500mg): The most evidence-developed non-intoxicating cannabinoid. Strongest human data for rare epilepsies. Promising but limited evidence for anxiety (2024 meta-analysis of 316 participants) and pain (2024 systematic review). Safety note: possible liver enzyme elevation and drug interactions—especially relevant for Mainers taking multiple medications.

CBG (3,000mg): The “mother cannabinoid.” Mostly preclinical evidence. Mechanistically interesting for neurologic disorders and inflammation, but human trials are sparse. We’re including it at research-backed levels because Bentley’s neurodegeneration taught us its value.

Delta-8 THC (6,000mg): Psychoactive but less potent than delta-9. A 2022 review found similar pharmacokinetics to delta-9 but weaker CB1 affinity. Public health literature documents adverse events. We include it for its antiemetic properties (chemo nausea support) and because Maine law permits hemp-derived delta-8.

THCa (1,500mg): The game-changer for Maine. Non-psychoactive until you heat it. Preclinical data suggests anti-inflammatory (COX-2 inhibition) and neuroprotective (PPARγ agonism) benefits. Your control over decarboxylation means you decide the psychoactivity level.

Delta-9 THC (90mg): Intentionally low at 3mg/mL to meet Farm Bill compliance while still providing entourage benefits. For comparison, Simpson’s protocol delivered 600-900mg daily. Our approach is safer and legally accessible.

CBN (750mg): Marketed heavily for sleep, but the evidence is weak. A 2021 review found no clinical trials with validated sleep measures. We include it at levels used in recent research (25-50mg per dose) because Maine’s insomnia sufferers deserve options beyond Ambien.

CBC (750mg): The most underexplored cannabinoid in our formula. 2024 reviews highlight antinociceptive and antibacterial potential. Commercially sold despite thin evidence—we’re transparent about that.

Terpenes: The Maine Forest in Every Drop

Our 5% terpene profile is identical across both products:

• Limonene: Citrus-bright. May elevate mood. Found in Maine’s wild bergamot.
• Myrcene: Earthy. Often associated with relaxation (though human evidence is limited).
• Caryophyllene: Pepper/spice. Direct CB2 agonist—unique among terpenes. Activation: 0.5-1.0mL sublingual to start.
• Pinene: Forest-fresh. May support alertness. Evokes Maine’s pine forests.
• Linalool: Floral, lavender. Calming properties. Safety: oxidized linalool can be allergenic.
• Humulene: Earthy, woody. Anti-inflammatory potential. Cannabimimetic properties in rodent studies.
• Terpinolene: Piney, fruity. Least clinically studied but adds complexity.

Research Limits: Our Honest Assessment for Maine

We apply the same evidence standards to our own products that we apply to the field:

• Evidence is uneven: CBD and delta-9 THC have the strongest human data; others depend on preclinical work.
• Data aren’t interchangeable: Animal studies don’t equal human outcomes.
• Minor cannabinoids are commercially interesting BECAUSE they’re underexplored—not because they’re proven.
• Product quality matters: Our third-party testing for pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbes ensures what we claim is what’s in the bottle.
• THCa chemistry changes: Storage time and temperature can convert it to THC—Mainers should store products in cool, dark places.

Bottom Line for Maine: Why OilWell RSO Is Different

We’re not here to sell you snake oil. We’re here to give you the best possible version of information so you can give cannabinoid medicine a fair shot—whether it’s right or wrong for you.

Maine residents get:

• Transparency: Every mg published, every test result available
• Control: You decide on psychoactivity through decarboxylation
• Access: Ships directly to your Maine address, no medical card needed
• Safety: Solvent-free, lab-tested, organic MCT oil base
• Evidence: 29 peer-reviewed citations backing our claims
• Community: The same ethos that led us to give away $35,000 in product for COVID vaccination

From Bentley’s miracle to Colin’s personal recovery to our seven ABC13 features, every aspect of OilWell is built on real experiences, real science, and real commitment to helping people make informed decisions.

Maine deserves honesty. Maine deserves options. Maine deserves OilWell.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You must be 21+ to purchase. Keep out of reach of children. Consult your healthcare provider before use, especially if you have a medical condition or take medications. Do not operate vehicles or machinery while impaired. Maine residents are responsible for complying with all state and local laws regarding cannabinoid products. Individual results may vary.