Although it lacks the general familiarity of flower, vape carts, and edibles, Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) has a very strong and loyal following when it comes to consuming cannabis for medical purposes. This is because of the purported benefits it has been suggested to provide, especially for those pertaining to relieving cancer-related symptoms.
RSO is a ultra-high potency thick and syrupy concentrate that is typically applied as a topical; ingested in food, drinks, or sublingually; or taken via a capsule. It is usually made by combining cannabis plant material and a solvent (such as grain alcohol) to extract the cannabinoids. Then, after some time, the mixture is heated to ensure any residual solvent evaporates and thus leaving behind the RSO.
As the name suggests, it was developed by an individual named Rick Simpson back in 2003. At the time, Rick had been diagnosed with skin cancer and was looking for alternative forms of treatment. Having been a believer in cannabis for medical purposes, he whipped up a batch of cannabis oil, applied it to his skin topically, wrapped it in a bandage, and a few days later he claimed the cancerous growths were gone.
While there still needs to be more true medical research done to verify these claims (which is a whole nother topic in and of itself!), the legend of RSO was born and has grown ever since. It is because of this creation, that many medical cannabis patients have been able to share their own positive experiences from this product and subsequently improve their overall quality of life.
