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

We see you, San Francisco. We see the cancer patients at UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center searching for options beyond the standard protocol. We see the veterans in the Marina and Sunset districts navigating PTSD with limited resources. We see the tech workers in SoMA burning out, the artists in the Mission dealing with chronic pain, the seniors in the Richmond seeking sleep solutions that won’t wreck their bodies. We see you because we’ve been there—not in San Francisco specifically, but in the trenches of suffering that look the same whether you’re crossing the Golden Gate Bridge or the Texas border.

This guide is our introduction to San Francisco County—your neighborhoods, your values, your specific needs. We’re OilWell Cannabis, a Houston-based company (yes, Houston, with that same independent Texas spirit that built San Francisco’s own rebel culture), and we’ve spent five years building what we believe is the most evidence-informed, transparently formulated, and ethically produced RSO available anywhere. Not because we wanted to build a cannabis empire, but because a dog named Bentley taught us that cannabinoids save lives when pharmaceuticals fail.

Who Rick Simpson Was—and Why San Francisco Needs the Real Story

Rick Simpson wasn’t a doctor. He wasn’t a scientist. He was a power engineer from Nova Scotia who fell off scaffolding in 1997 and got thrown into the medical meat grinder—prescriptions that didn’t work, a system that dismissed cannabis, and a personal basal cell carcinoma diagnosis in 2003 that he treated with crude cannabis oil he made himself. His claim? The oil removed his skin cancer in four days. No biopsy confirmation. No clinical documentation. Just a story that became a global movement through the 2005 documentary Run From The Cure—a film that spread through cannabis communities like wildfire, reaching San Francisco’s own early medical cannabis advocates who were pioneering dispensary models in the Haight-Ashbury legacy.

Here’s what matters to San Francisco: Simpson’s story resonates because it mirrors the experience of so many in our city. The patient who gets told there’s nothing more UCSF can do. The veteran who can’t access adequate PTSD treatment through the VA. The chronic pain sufferer cycling through opioid prescriptions that wreck their liver. When conventional medicine fails, people seek alternatives. Simpson gave them language—RSO—and a protocol: 60 grams of oil over 90 days, escalating to 1 gram daily (that’s 600-900mg of delta-9 THC—doses that have never been validated in human trials and carry real risks of psychosis, tachycardia, and cannabis use disorder).

San Francisco’s sophisticated cannabis consumers deserve better than mythology. Our Medical Cannabis Program was the first in the nation, born from Prop 215 in 1996. We pioneered lab testing, organic cultivation, and patient cooperatives. We know the difference between anecdote and evidence. That’s why OilWell’s approach starts with honest history: honor Simpson for drawing attention to cannabinoids, but reject his unproven cure claims and dangerous dosing protocols.

How Traditional RSO Was Made—and Why We Don’t

Traditional RSO was crude extraction: soak cannabis in naphtha or isopropyl alcohol (neither food-grade), filter, evaporate in a rice cooker at high heat. The result? A black, tar-like oil that was:

• Unstandardized: Every batch different, no lab testing, no cannabinoid ratios
• Solvent-risky: Potential benzene, toluene, other carcinogens
• Terpene-stripped: Heat destroyed all aromatic compounds
• THC-dominant: 60-90% delta-9 THC, no control over other cannabinoids
• Fully psychoactive: All THCa converted to THC, no option for non-impairing use

In San Francisco’s health-conscious market—where we demand organic produce from Bi-Rite, lab-tested flower from Barbary Coast, and transparent sourcing from our coffee roasters—this approach is unacceptable. We’ve evolved.

OilWell’s RSO: Built from Love, Refined by Science

The Dog That Changed Everything

Bentley was a paralyzed dog facing euthanasia. Colin Valencia, our founder, couldn’t accept that. A rescue worker asked: “You’ve moved how many tons of weed and you’ve never heard of CBD?” That question rewired everything. Colin created a CBD golden paste (turmeric, coconut oil, black pepper, CBD oil—recipe published free on our site), and Bentley got up. Walked. Brought his ball to play. Lived ten more years to age twenty.

Why San Francisco pet parents should care: We published that exact recipe so you can make it for your own companion at Duboce Park or Fort Funston. No profit. Just the formula that saved Bentley. That’s our DNA.

The PTSD That Forged the Formula

Colin personally used the cannabinoid knowledge from Bentley’s journey to quit Xanax cold turkey—one of the hardest pharmaceutical withdrawals to survive. He built the RSO formula during midnight experiments fighting benzo withdrawal symptoms. Today, he still uses the vape form for his own severe PTSD and insomnia. This isn’t theoretical. It’s survival.

San Francisco’s veteran community—those who’ve served at Presidio, Treasure Island, or beyond—understands this. The VA’s mental health system is overwhelmed. Benzodiazepines are handed out like candy with little exit strategy. Our formula was born from someone who escaped that trap and wants to show others the path.

What Baylor College of Medicine Taught Us

Colin did custom software development for Baylor—one of the world’s premier medical institutions. That experience taught him medical-grade precision. Combine that with a decade of watching Bentley age through neurodegeneration, dementia, glaucoma, and arthritis, and you get a formula that’s not about getting high. It’s about multi-cannabinoid synergy addressing multiple pathways simultaneously—because chronic illness is never single-pathway.

San Francisco’s biotech professionals understand this. You’re not looking for a blunt instrument. You’re looking for precision medicine. That’s what we built.

The Seven Cannabinoids: What San Francisco Needs to Know

Our RSO Sublingual Oil delivers 16,590mg total cannabinoids across seven compounds at 553mg/mL. Here’s the science for each, straight from peer-reviewed literature:

CBD (4,500mg): The Foundation

• Best evidence: Seizure disorders (Epidiolex approval) [1][2]
• San Francisco relevance: UCSF epilepsy research, seizure management for patients who can’t access Epidiolex
• Anxiety: 2024 meta-analysis of 316 participants showed significant anxiolytic signal [3]—relevant for the tech workers burning out in SoMA
• Pain: Promising but heterogeneous evidence [4]—worth trying for Mission District artists with repetitive strain injuries
• Safety: Watch for liver enzyme elevation and drug interactions [1][6]—critical for seniors on polypharmacy in the Richmond

CBG (3,000mg): The Neuroprotector

• Mechanism: CB1/CB2 activity, alpha-2 adrenoceptors, 5-HT1A signaling [7]
• San Francisco relevance: Neurodegeneration research at UCSF Memory and Aging Center; potential relevance for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s
• Reality check: Human evidence is sparse [7][8]—we include it based on Bentley’s ten-year neurodegeneration journey, not hype

Delta-8 THC (6,000mg): The Workaround

• Pharmacology: Partial CB1 agonist, less potent than delta-9 THC [9]
• San Francisco relevance: For patients who want THC benefits without delta-9’s intensity—think of it as the “indica” of the THC world
• Safety concerns: Real psychoactivity, manufacturing quality issues [10][11]—we test every batch for contaminants

THCa (1,500mg): The Game-Changer

• The innovation: Non-psychoactive acidic precursor that YOU activate at home
• Conversion: 1mg THCa = 0.877mg delta-9 THC when heated at 260°F for 45-60 minutes
• San Francisco relevance: Legal purchase, customer-controlled activation. Perfect for the Peninsula engineer who needs daytime functionality (raw) but wants evening relief (decarbed)
• Research: COX-2 anti-inflammatory, PPARγ neuroprotective [12]—relevant for arthritis patients in Noe Valley

Delta-9 THC (90mg): The Legal Limit

• Farm Bill compliance: Only 90mg total in the bottle—well under 0.3% threshold
• San Francisco relevance: The baseline THC that institutions recognize, delivered at microdose levels for tolerance building
• Evidence: Strong for chemo nausea, appetite, pain [1][13]—but also risks: psychosis, anxiety, CUD at high doses [15]

CBN (750mg): The Sleep Question

• Marketing vs. reality: Reputation as “sleep cannabinoid” far exceeds evidence [16][17]
• Our dose: 25-50mg at 1-2mL—above the 20mg threshold some studies suggest
• San Francisco relevance: For Sunset insomniacs who’ve tried everything. The evidence is weak, but the anecdotal reports are strong enough to include at this level

CBC (750mg): The Emerging One

• Pharmacology: Distinct from CBD/THC, antinociceptive, possible neurogenesis [18][19]
• San Francisco relevance: For the biotech-curious who want to explore beyond CBD
• Caution: Over-the-counter products exist with little safety data [18]—we’re transparent about this

The Seven Terpenes: San Francisco’s Sensory Medicine

Our 5% live terpene profile isn’t just for smell—it’s for effect. Here’s what each does:

• Limonene: Citrus-bright, mood-lifting. Grown in California’s Central Valley, familiar to every SF farmers market shopper [21][22]
• Myrcene: Earthy, relaxing. The “couch-lock” terpene—though human evidence for sedation is limited [23]
• Caryophyllene: Pepper-spice, CB2 agonist. Directly activates your endocannabinoid system—unique among terpenes [24]
• Pinene: Forest-fresh, clarity. For the hikers on Mt. Tam who need bronchial openness [25]
• Linalool: Lavender-floral, calming. The aromatherapy staple from SF’s wellness shops [25][26]
• Humulene: Woody, anti-inflammatory. For the craft beer lovers who recognize it from hoppy IPAs [27]
• Terpinolene: Piney-fruity, complex. The least studied but most intriguing [28]

The entourage effect: Real but unproven in humans [20][29]. We include terpenes because they make the oil taste and feel better, and because the preclinical science is compelling enough to justify 5% of the formula. We’re honest about what we don’t know.

Three Ways to Use It: San Francisco Lifestyle Integration

Option 1: Raw (Non-Psychoactive)

Perfect for: Daytime use in the Financial District, driving across the Bay Bridge, parent-teacher conferences in the Sunset, any situation requiring full cognitive function.

How: Take directly from bottle. THCa stays inactive. You get anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective benefits without impairment.

Option 2: Home-Decarbed (Full Potency)

Perfect for: Evening relief in your Noe Valley home, weekend pain management in the Richmond, sleep support in the Marina.

How: Transfer oil to oven-safe glass, heat at 260°F for 45-60 minutes. Converts 1,500mg THCa → ~1,315mg delta-9 THC. Total THC becomes ~1,405mg. Now you’re in traditional RSO territory—legally, because you activated it yourself.

Option 3: Vape (Instant Relief)

Perfect for: Acute panic attacks in SoMA, breakthrough pain at Oracle Park, nausea on the ferry to Sausalito.

How: 510-thread cartridge, 1-2 puffs. Onset in 1-2 minutes. Auto-decarbs THCa instantly. Fastest delivery available.

Farm Bill Compliance: Why This Is Legal in San Francisco

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp-derived products with <0.3% delta-9 THC. Our sublingual oil contains only 90mg delta-9 THC in 30mL—well under the limit. THCa is not delta-9 THC. You legally purchase a non-psychoactive product. What you do with it afterward is your choice, in the privacy of your Pacific Heights apartment or your Mission studio.

California context: Prop 64 legalized adult-use cannabis, but RSO typically requires medical dispensary access. Our product ships directly to your door anywhere in San Francisco County—no medical card needed, no dispensary visit, no parking nightmare in SoMA.

International note: For SF residents with family overseas, we ship globally with COAs and customs documentation. THCa’s legal status at point-of-sale makes this possible—a paradigm shift Simpson never imagined.

Open-Source Formulas: The San Francisco Hacker Ethos

We publish our complete formulas publicly. Every milligram. Every percentage. Here’s why this matters to San Francisco:

• DIY culture: The maker movement started here. If you can source cannabinoid distillates, you can replicate our formula. We want you to have that power.
• Price accessibility: We know SF’s cost of living is brutal. If $129.99 is out of reach, the recipe is free. That’s our Bentley promise.
• Transparency: In a city that invented the tech startup, “open-source” means something. We don’t hide behind proprietary blends. We show our work.

The full formulas are listed at the end of this guide. Use them. Share them. Improve them. That’s how medicine should work.

Delivery to San Francisco: From Houston to Your Door

We can’t offer same-day delivery to SF (yet), but we can get our RSO to you faster than most local dispensaries can stock it:

• Shipping: USPS Priority (2-3 days), FedEx/UPS Ground (3-5 days)
• Packaging: Discreet, temperature-stable for those foggy SF summers
• Tracking: Full tracking provided—watch it move from Houston to your doorstep in the Sunset
• Signature: Optional signature-required for added security in apartment buildings
• International: For SF residents with connections abroad, we ship worldwide

The Texas Medical Center connection: We offer free delivery to the world’s largest medical center (10M+ patient visits/year) because we believe in accessibility. SF’s medical institutions—UCSF, Stanford, Kaiser—deserve the same ethos. We’re building toward that.

Condition-Specific Usage: San Francisco Scenarios

For the UCSF cancer patient:
Pre-chemo: 0.5-1.0mL sublingual 1 hour before infusion. Breakthrough nausea: 2-3 vape puffs. Post-chemo: 0.5mL every 6 hours. Sleep: 1-2mL before bed delivers 25-50mg CBN. Evidence: delta-8 antiemetic [9], delta-9 nausea control [13], CBD anxiety buffer [3].

For the veteran with PTSD in the Marina:
Daytime: 0.3mL raw sublingual for functional relief. Nighttime: 1.0mL decarbed for sleep architecture. Breakthrough: Vape for acute episodes. Evidence: CBD anxiety [3], CBN sleep [16][17], Colin’s personal benzo withdrawal experience.

For the tech worker’s repetitive strain in SoMA:
Daytime: 0.5mL raw sublingual—anti-inflammatory without impairment. Evidence: THCa COX-2 inhibition [12], CBD pain modulation [4], caryophyllene CB2 activation [24].

For the senior’s sleep issues in the Richmond:
Before bed: 1.5mL sublingual delivers 37.5mg CBN. Evidence: Limited but promising sleep signals [16][17].

General rule: Start at 0.25-0.5mL. Wait 2-3 hours. Increase gradually. Your body, your ratio.

Safety: What San Francisco Needs to Know

• Impairment: Don’t drive across the Bay Bridge after decarbing. Don’t operate machinery at the SFMTA yard. Raw THCa is fine; activated THC is not.
• Drug tests: Delta-8 and activated THC will trigger positive results. SF employers test. Plan accordingly.
• Liver interaction: CBD can elevate liver enzymes [6]. If you’re on multiple meds (common in SF’s elderly population), get liver function tests.
• Pregnancy: NIH warns against cannabis use during pregnancy [1]. We echo that.
• Pediatric exposure: Keep away from kids in your Noe Valley home. Accidental ingestion is a real risk [1].
• Mental health: High-dose THC can trigger anxiety or psychosis [15]. SF’s high-stress environment amplifies this. Start low.

FDA disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your UCSF or Stanford physician before use.

Media Credibility: ABC13’s Seven Features

Between 2019-2023, ABC13 Houston featured Colin in seven segments covering:

• Texas CBD law (2019)
• National decriminalization (2021)
• Delta-8 investigation (2021)
• COVID vaccine giveaway—$35K in product (2021)
• Delta-8 ban crisis response (2021)
• Biden pardons—Colin’s personal conviction revealed (2022)
• 4/20 industry innovation (2023)

Why this matters to San Francisco: ABC is a major network affiliate. Their editorial judgment is independent. They kept returning to Colin because he’s credible, quotable, and honest. That media record is a trust signal that no marketing budget can buy.

The iconic quote from 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.”

That philosophy is why we’re publishing this 10,000-word guide for San Francisco. Education over hype.

Competitive Position: Why OilWell in San Francisco

You have options. Dispensaries in the Castro, delivery services in the Mission, CBD shops in the Haight. Here’s what makes us different:

• Multi-cannabinoid vs. THC-only: 7 compounds vs. 1. More pathways, more potential.
• Patient-controlled potency: Legal THCa you activate yourself. No dispensary product offers this.
• Open-source: We show our formula. They hide theirs.
• No medical card required: Available to any San Franciscan 21+.
• Lab-tested: Full COAs. Many local products lack comprehensive testing.
• Ethical origin: Built from a dog’s survival and a man’s PTSD recovery, not venture capital.

Price reality check: $129.99 for 16,590mg cannabinoids = $0.0078 per mg. Compare to typical SF dispensary RSO at $40-60 for 1,000mg = $0.04-0.06 per mg. We’re 5-7x more cost-effective.

The Formulas: For San Francisco Makers and Buyers

RSO Sublingual Oil—30mL

• Live Terpenes: 5% (limonene, myrcene, caryophyllene, pinene, linalool, humulene, terpinolene)
• Carrier: Organic MCT oil
• Dosing: Graduated dropper, 0.1mL increments (55.3mg cannabinoids per 0.1mL)
• Onset: 15-45 minutes
• Duration: 4-6 hours
• Price: $129.99

San Francisco math: At 1mL/day, this bottle lasts a month. That’s $4.33/day for a multi-cannabinoid regimen.

RSO Vape Cartridge—1 Gram

• Live Terpenes: 5%+
• Thread: 510 universal
• Onset: 1-2 minutes
• Duration: 2-4 hours
• Price: $49.99

San Francisco use case: Keep in your bag for acute relief during a panic attack at Salesforce Tower or breakthrough pain at a Giants game.

Connect With Us

We’re not a faceless corporation. We’re a Houston company with San Francisco values.

• Phone: (832) 416-2816
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: oilwellcbd.com/thca-rick-simpson-oil-rso-by-oilwell-cannabis-of-houston-texas/
• Instagram: @oilwellcbd
• Hours: Mon-Thu 10AM-7PM, Fri-Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 10AM-4PM (Central Time)

Houston address (our home base): 810 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77006 (Montrose neighborhood)

Final Word to San Francisco

We can’t serve you from a storefront on Valencia Street yet. But we can serve you with integrity, science, and transparency that matches your city’s values. We’ve published our formulas. We’ve cited our sources. We’ve told you what works, what doesn’t, and what’s still unknown. We’ve shared the story of a paralyzed dog and a man who quit benzos. We’ve shown you seven ABC13 features proving we’re not hiding.

San Francisco taught America that cannabis is medicine. We’re here to make that medicine as good as it can be—honest, accessible, and effective.

Order today. We’ll ship it from Houston to your door in the Richmond, the Sunset, SoMA, or the Marina. Or make it yourself using our recipe. Either way, you have the knowledge. And knowledge, in the end, is what Rick Simpson was really fighting for.

Order now: OilWell RSO Sublingual Oil | OilWell RSO Vape Cartridge

Read the full guide: Complete RSO Guide

FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before use. May cause drowsiness or impairment. Do not operate vehicles or machinery. Keep out of reach of children. Buyer responsible for checking local laws. Void where prohibited.

San Francisco County notice: This product contains hemp-derived cannabinoids with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight, compliant with federal and California state law. THCa converts to delta-9 THC when heated. Use responsibly.