Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) in the United States: The Complete Guide by OilWell Cannabis
For decades, patients across the United States have searched for alternatives when conventional medicine falls short. From veterans in Texas struggling with PTSD to cancer patients in California seeking relief from chemotherapy side effects, the quest for effective cannabinoid medicine has led many to discover Rick Simpson Oil. Yet what began as one man’s desperate experiment in Nova Scotia has evolved into something far more sophisticated, standardized, and accessible to Americans today.
We are OilWell Cannabis, and we have spent years refining the RSO concept into a multi-cannabinoid formula that honors the tradition while addressing its limitations. Born from the Houston medical district and built on the foundation of a dog named Bentley who refused to die, our approach combines deep cannabis expertise with medical-grade precision. We publish our complete formulas openly, ship to all fifty states under Farm Bill compliance, and believe that education—not hype—is what helps people make informed decisions about their health.
Understanding the RSO Legacy
Rick Simpson was not a doctor, scientist, or researcher. He was a Canadian power engineer who, in 1997, suffered a catastrophic fall from scaffolding while working at a hospital in Moncton. The resulting head injury left him with persistent tinnitus, dizziness, and post-concussion symptoms that prescription medications failed to resolve—or made worse. When he asked his physician about cannabis, he was refused.
Simpson’s pivotal moment came in 2003, when he was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma. He applied concentrated cannabis oil to the lesions, covered them with bandages, and claimed they disappeared within four days. No independent medical verification documented this outcome, yet the experience catalyzed a global movement. Simpson began producing oil in his Maccan, Nova Scotia property, giving it away for free to cancer patients and others suffering from chronic pain, diabetes, glaucoma, arthritis, depression, and insomnia.
His 2005 documentary, Run From The Cure, distributed the RSO concept worldwide. Yet Simpson operated in a pre-legalization era without lab testing, standardization, or clinical validation. His traditional protocol—60 grams over 90 days—delivered approximately 600 to 900 milligrams of delta-9 THC daily, far exceeding doses studied in controlled clinical settings. He used naphtha or isopropyl alcohol for extraction, creating residual solvent risks, and the high-heat process destroyed virtually all terpenes.
The RSO term has since become generic, applied to products bearing little resemblance to Simpson’s original method. While his advocacy drew crucial attention to cannabinoid medicine, his specific claims exceeded available evidence. No human clinical trial has demonstrated that RSO cures cancer, and encouraging patients to forego proven oncologic therapies carries genuine harm potential.
The OilWell Evolution
Our story begins not in a boardroom, but with a paralyzed dog named Bentley. Colin Valencia, our founder, grew up in McAllen, Texas, across the river from Reynosa, Mexico—a region marked by economic hardship and cartel violence. By sixteen, he had left home after losing friends to prison and death. He chose cannabis over darker paths, learning the plant intimately while operating in the shadows before transitioning to legitimate business.
When Bentley faced euthanasia after paralysis struck his hind legs, veterinarians offered only pain medications that would destroy his organs. Desperate, Colin discovered CBD through a rescue worker’s question: “You’ve moved how many tons of weed and you’ve never heard of CBD?” He formulated a golden paste—turmeric, coconut oil, black pepper, and CBD oil. Bentley got up, walked over, and brought Colin his ball to play. Dogs do not respond to placebo. Bentley lived another ten years, dying naturally at age twenty.
During those years, Colin developed formulas for neurodegeneration, dementia, glaucoma, and arthritis, discovering that single cannabinoids were insufficient. Bentley’s conditions required multi-cannabinoid synergy. This necessity birthed our philosophy: seven cannabinoids working together, precisely formulated, lab-tested, and transparently published.
Colin also knows pharmaceutical dependence personally. He struggled with PTSD and benzodiazepine addiction, eventually quitting Xanax cold turkey using cannabinoid knowledge developed while keeping Bentley alive. Our Peace Gummies formula emerged from midnight experiments during that withdrawal. Today, doctors use our formulations for Crohn’s disease, IBS, ulcerative colitis, and PTSD, including tailored products for vegans and diabetics.
Media Recognition and Credibility
Between 2019 and 2023, ABC13 Houston—America’s fourth-largest city’s number-one news source—featured Colin in seven comprehensive segments spanning business, law, medicine, and politics. When Texas lawmakers debated decriminalization, when Delta-8 legality shifted overnight, when President Biden announced marijuana pardons, ABC13 sought Colin’s expertise.
Our media record documents consistent ethical leadership. When Texas classified Delta-8 as Schedule I in October 2021, we proactively removed all products before enforcement began and warned other operators who were unknowingly shipping what had become felony-level narcotics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we donated approximately $35,000 in product—1,000 caviar pre-rolls—to encourage vaccination, coordinating with the City of Houston to support community health with no political agenda.
Colin’s 2019 quote captures our ethos: “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 Science Behind Our Formulas
Our RSO formulas diverge deliberately from traditional RSO through evidence-motivated innovations:
Multi-Cannabinoid Approach: While traditional RSO relied on single-strain THC dominance, our formulas distribute 16,590 milligrams of total cannabinoids across seven compounds: CBD (4,500mg), CBG (3,000mg), delta-8 THC (6,000mg), THCa (1,500mg), delta-9 THC (90mg), CBN (750mg), and CBC (750mg). This reflects the entourage effect literature suggesting potential benefits from cannabinoid diversity, though we acknowledge that robust clinical proof of whole-formula synergy remains limited.
Terpene Preservation: Traditional RSO destroyed terpenes through solvent and heat. We include live terpenes at 5%—limonene, myrcene, caryophyllene, pinene, linalool, humulene, and terpinolene—because preclinical evidence suggests plausible bioactivity, even while human clinical confirmation remains developing.
Patient-Controlled Potency: We preserve THCa as a distinct ingredient. This acidic, non-psychoactive precursor converts to delta-9 THC only when heated, allowing customers to choose between non-psychoactive anti-inflammatory use (raw) or full psychoactive potency (decarboxylated). Heating our sublingual oil at 260°F for 45-60 minutes converts 1,500mg of THCa into approximately 1,315mg of delta-9 THC, yielding roughly 1,405mg total delta-9 THC when combined with the existing 90mg—achieving traditional RSO potency legally.
Solvent-Free Production: Unlike traditional RSO’s naphtha or isopropyl alcohol extraction, we use no solvents. Our organic MCT oil base eliminates residual solvent risks while facilitating absorption.
Farm Bill Compliance and Legal Access
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp-derived products containing less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight. Our sublingual oil contains only 90mg of delta-9 THC in the entire 30mL bottle—3mg per milliliter—well under the federal threshold. All cannabinoids are hemp-derived, making the product legal under federal law and in most states.
This framework enables nationwide shipping to all fifty states and international delivery where hemp-derived products are permitted. We ship with full documentation, Certificates of Analysis (COAs), and receipts. International customers accept customs responsibility, but the THCa legal framework allows us to serve patients globally who previously had no access to clinical-strength cannabinoid medicine.
Our Product Formulas
We offer two delivery formats, each designed for specific pharmacokinetic profiles:
RSO Sublingual Oil — $129.99
- 30mL bottle containing 16,590mg total cannabinoids (553mg/mL)
- Seven cannabinoids: CBD (4,500mg), CBG (3,000mg), delta-8 THC (6,000mg), THCa (1,500mg), delta-9 THC (90mg), CBN (750mg), CBC (750mg)
- Live terpenes at 5%
- Organic MCT oil base
- Graduated dropper for precise 0.1mL dosing
- Onset: 15-45 minutes; Duration: 4-6 hours; Bioavailability: 13-19%
RSO Vape Cartridge — $49.99
- 1-gram cartridge containing 900mg+ total cannabinoids
- Six cannabinoids (THCa auto-decarboxylates at vaping temperature): CBD (30%), CBG (20%), delta-8 THC (15%), THCa (10%), CBN (10%), CBC (10%)
- Live terpenes at 5%+
- 510-thread universal compatibility
- Onset: 1-2 minutes; Duration: 2-4 hours; Bioavailability: 10-35%
When to Use Each Format
For fast relief from acute pain, nausea, or panic attacks, the vape cartridge delivers effects within 1-2 minutes. For sustained relief from chronic pain or sleep support, the sublingual oil provides 4-6 hours of duration. The sublingual format offers maximum bioavailability and precise dosing control, while the vape offers portability and discretion.
For daytime functional use without psychoactive impairment, use the sublingual oil raw (no heat), keeping THCa in its acidic form. For nighttime psychoactive use, either decarboxylate the sublingual oil or use the vape cartridge, which automatically converts THCa to delta-9 THC at 400-450°F vaping temperatures.
Evidence-Based Usage Contexts
Chemotherapy Support: For pre-chemo nausea prevention, 0.5-1.0mL sublingual approximately one hour before treatment leverages delta-8 THC’s antiemetic properties and delta-9 THC’s established efficacy for chemotherapy-related nausea. For breakthrough nausea, 2-3 vape puffs provide immediate relief. For post-chemo sleep support, 1.0-2.0mL delivers 25-50mg of CBN alongside CBD’s anxiolytic buffering.
Chronic Pain: Daytime management of fibromyalgia, arthritis, or neuropathy benefits from 0.3-0.5mL raw sublingual, providing anti-inflammatory cannabinoid exposure—including THCa’s COX-2 inhibition and beta-caryophyllene’s CB2 agonism—without impairment. Nighttime use of 0.5-1.0mL decarboxylated sublingual combines pain relief with CBN sleep support.
Sleep Support: 1.0-2.0mL sublingual before bed delivers 25-50mg CBN, the dosage range investigated in recent sleep literature, though we acknowledge that robust clinical evidence for CBN as a sleep aid remains limited.
Anxiety and Stress: Daytime functional relief utilizes 0.3mL raw sublingual, leveraging CBD and CBG’s anxiolytic pathways without psychoactive effects. Limonene’s potential mood-elevating properties complement this application.
Safety and Responsible Use
Start low and go slow. Begin with 0.25-0.5mL sublingual and assess effects over 2-3 hours before increasing. Individual responses vary based on body weight, metabolism, tolerance, and concurrent medications.
Do not operate vehicles or machinery while using psychoactive cannabinoids. Delta-8 and activated delta-9 THC will trigger positive drug tests. THCa in raw form does not produce psychoactive effects, but converts to THC when heated.
Consult healthcare providers before use, especially if you have medical conditions, take medications, are pregnant or nursing, or have liver conditions. CBD specifically has documented drug interactions and potential liver enzyme elevation risks.
Open-Source Philosophy
We publish our complete formulas publicly—every cannabinoid, every milligram, every percentage. If you cannot afford our products, you can source individual cannabinoid distillates and create your own version. This echoes Rick Simpson’s original ethos of free distribution, adapted for the modern marketplace: we sell a professionally manufactured, lab-tested product for those who want it, and provide the recipe for those who need to make it themselves.
The CBD golden paste recipe that saved Bentley—turmeric, coconut oil, black pepper, and CBD oil—remains published on our website for any pet owner facing similar crises.
Delivery and Accessibility
We operate the only same-day RSO delivery system in Houston, serving the Texas Medical Center—the world’s largest medical complex with over ten million annual patient visits—free of charge. Inner Loop delivery runs $5, Beltway 8 coverage $10, and greater Houston suburbs $15. We ship nationwide via USPS, FedEx, and UPS to all fifty states where Farm Bill-compliant products are legal, using temperature-stable packaging and discreet labeling.
The Bottom Line
Rick Simpson drew crucial attention to cannabinoid medicine when the world ignored it, but his specific methods—solvent-based extraction, unstandardized potency, and extreme THC dosing—carried real risks. We have evolved that vision into something safer, more precise, and legally accessible to Americans nationwide.
Our formulas are not traditional RSO. They are something better: multi-cannabinoid, terpene-rich, lab-tested, and patient-controlled. Whether you are a veteran seeking PTSD relief, a cancer patient managing chemotherapy side effects, or simply someone who has been let down by conventional medicine, we offer not just a product, but a philosophy—evidenced-based, transparent, and committed to reducing suffering.
We are not here to sell you hope. We are here to provide the best possible version of cannabinoid medicine, backed by published research, verified by third-party testing, and delivered with the integrity that comes from having lived the struggle ourselves.
Contact and Ordering
Visit us at 810 Richmond Avenue, Houston, Texas 77006, in the Montrose neighborhood. Call (832) 416-2816 or email [email protected]. Follow us on Instagram @oilwellcbd.
Order online at oilwellcbd.com for same-day Houston delivery or nationwide shipping. International orders accepted with proper documentation and customer verification of local legality.
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. Must be 21 years or older to purchase. Buyer assumes responsibility for compliance with local laws.
THCa Rick Simpson Oil
Full-Spectrum • In-House Extraction
THE OILWELL PASSION PROJECT: THCa RSO
Experience true full-spectrum relief. Our Rick Simpson Oil is meticulously crafted in-house to preserve the complete cannabinoid and terpene profile of the plant. Potent, pure, and profound.
- 🌿 Maximum Potency
- 🔬 Third-Party Lab Tested
- 🚀 Same-Day Delivery Available
