Which RSO is Right for Me?
By Brianna Newton-Jackson, outreach lead at Hashtag Cannabis
Quick Answer: RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) is a thick, dark, full-spectrum cannabis oil available in THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, and balanced ratios. Washington producers like Lazy Bee Gardens, Green Revolution, and Hitz Cannabis each make RSO differently — varying by strain, extraction method, and cannabinoid profile. Start with a rice-grain-sized dose and wait 90 minutes before taking more.
By now you have most likely heard about Rick Simpson Oil, or what is commonly known as RSO. It is a highly potent whole plant cannabis extract packed with phytocannabinoids that pair perfectly with our endocannabinoid system. This beloved thick, dark oil is well known as a partner in healing for many within the medical cannabis community since 2003 as well as a great alternative to inhalation for those who just need a good, lasting effect out of their cannabis. The standard RSO options are usually extremely potent and saturated in THC content. However, a lot of growers these days produce RSO in a variety of THC and CBD ratios to better fit each of our individual needs.
That’s neat but how exactly is RSO Made?
Rick Simpson Oil is traditionally made by taking dried flower and concentrating its cannabinoids, predominantly THC and CBD, with a solvent such as ethanol or CO2. With tons of plant material packed in and no carrier oils or additives blended in, the resulting oil comes out dark brown and thick in texture.
This thick oil is placed into a syringe, making it much easier to dispense, dose and consume. The color of this cannabis oil and its high potency is very unique among the products offered on the i502 cannabis market these days. In fact, compared to other forms of cannabis, RSO is exceptional because it’s discreet and odorless, plus it can be taken orally on its own, or mixed with any favorite food.
Directions: Start low and go slow. Begin with a 1/8th inch sized portion (half a grain of rice). Wait 90 minutes before increasing. If oil is too thick, warm the syringe with body heat or run it under warm tap water to decrease viscosity. Unscrew bottom half of plastic cap and dispense directly.
So How do Growers in Washington State prefer to make RSO?
Hashtag Cannabis is proud to carry only the best RSO producers and products from: Lazy Bee Gardens, Green Revolution, and Hitz Cannabis.
Let’s start with one of our Hashtag favorites, The Lazy bee Gardens...
“At Lazy Bee Gardens, the Rick Simpson story is personal. Founder Matthew Frigone’s own cannabis story began when his father was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Determined to fight back, he began to grow his own cannabis and make RSO for his dad. The result? Success. Without chemotherapy or pills, his dad became cancer-free”. (Find out more about their journey with RSO here).
At Lazy Bee Gardens, master grower and founder Matthew prefers to use the traditional method of extraction for their RSO using sun-grown, pesticide free flower.
“The oil is made by taking dried indica flower and concentrating its THC with a solvent. Indica is preferred over other strains because of its sedative effects.”
Lazy Bee Gardens makes two types of potent RSO blends from their outdoor flower grow, high CBD and a high THC option. You can always find both of these fabulous blends at Hashtag!
“Green Revolution’s Serum is created using Full-Flower, Pesticide-Free, Standardized Full-Spectrum Oil extracted with CO2 and Organic Cane Alcohol Extraction Methods. Our serum is triple filtered and redundantly tested to ensure the highest quality clean cannabis oil free of all mycotoxins, microbial, and residual solvents.”
Up next, Green Revolution’s Activated Serum, a twist on the classic Rick Simpson Oil with a variety of THC to CBD ratios..
Green Revolution’s Full Synergy Serum captures the full spectrum of the cannabis plant: cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes, and other adaptogenic compounds to give you the “whole plant advantage with complete purity”. What also makes Green Revolution’s RSO stand apart, the triple filtered process leaves the oil light in color and a consistency more like serum.
Last but certainly not least, Hitz Cannabis offers strain-specific RSO so that you can dial in the terpene and cannabinoid experience you seek by choosing the strain used to make the RSO itself.
Hitz uses sustainable growing practices, with no pesticides or synthetic nutrients used. Their worm castings are sourced from a local worm farm, and their nutrients and compost are made on site. Their ethanol-extracted oil comes in a graduated plastic syringe for easy dosing.
So whether you are turning to Rick Simpson Oil for it’s numerous medicinal benefits or are looking to simply diversify your cannabis experience, stop by Hashtag to learn more from your favorite budtenders. We absolutely adore RSO and would love to share more about the brands we carry, our experiences with RSO and preferred methods of use with you!
Where can I find RSO Products?
Whether you’re shopping online or in Redmond, we’re here to help you find what you need, when you need it. That includes RSO!
Click on our online menu link below to see our current availability.
FAQ Rick Simpson Oil (RSO)
What exactly is RSO (Rick Simpson Oil)?
RSO is a highly potent, whole-plant cannabis extract made by concentrating cannabinoids from dried flower using a solvent such as ethanol or CO2. With no carrier oils or additives, the resulting oil is thick, dark brown, and dispensed in a syringe for easy dosing. It contains the full spectrum of the cannabis plant — cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids — and is available in a range of THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, and balanced THC/CBD ratios to suit different needs.
How is RSO made?
RSO is traditionally made by soaking dried cannabis flower in a solvent (usually ethanol or CO2), which draws out the cannabinoids and plant compounds. The solvent is then carefully evaporated, leaving behind a concentrated, dark oil. Because the process captures the full plant profile — unlike distillation, which isolates single compounds — the resulting oil retains cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other plant compounds. The oil is placed in a syringe for easy dispensing and dosing.
What is the difference between high-THC and high-CBD RSO?
High-THC RSO is the traditional formulation and produces strong psychoactive effects along with its therapeutic benefits — making it popular for pain relief, sleep support, and medical applications. High-CBD RSO is non-intoxicating and is preferred by consumers who want the full-spectrum therapeutic benefits of a whole-plant extract without significant psychoactivity. Balanced 1:1 THC/CBD RSO options offer a middle ground, with CBD moderating some of THC's intensity while both compounds work synergistically.
How do the RSO producers at Hashtag differ from each other?
Lazy Bee Gardens uses traditional ethanol extraction from sun-grown, pesticide-free indica flower, producing potent high-THC and high-CBD options with a personal story behind the brand — founder Matthew Frigone began making RSO for his father's stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Green Revolution produces a triple-filtered, CO2 and organic cane alcohol-extracted "Activated Serum" that is lighter in color and texture than classic RSO, available in multiple THC/CBD ratios. Hitz Cannabis offers strain-specific RSO using ethanol extraction and sustainable, pesticide-free growing practices, allowing consumers to choose the specific terpene and cannabinoid profile of the strain used to make the oil.
How do I consume RSO and how much should I take?
RSO is taken orally — dispensed directly from the syringe under the tongue, mixed into food, or incorporated into a capsule. The standard starting dose is a rice-grain-sized amount (approximately one-eighth of an inch from the syringe tip). If the oil is too thick to dispense easily, warm the syringe with body heat or briefly run it under warm water to reduce viscosity. After dosing, wait at least 90 minutes before evaluating effects and deciding whether to take more. Start LOW and go SLOW — RSO is significantly more potent than most cannabis products.
Who is RSO best suited for?
RSO is best suited for medical cannabis patients seeking high-potency, full-spectrum, long-lasting effects — including those managing chronic pain, inflammation, insomnia, or conditions that respond well to the entourage effect. It's also a strong option for experienced recreational consumers who prefer oral ingestion over inhalation and want a concentrated, discreet product. Because of its extreme potency, RSO is generally not recommended as a starting point for cannabis beginners — those new to cannabis should start with lower-potency products before exploring RSO.
Want to learn more about RSO and how to use it?
Then check out our collection of related posts here!