What Is RSO Good For?
by Rachel Hantula, assistant store manager at Hashtag Redmond
Green Revolution’s Synergy RSO Oil Syringe (photo by Kim Bevington).
Quick Answer: RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) is a potent, full-spectrum cannabis concentrate useful for relaxation, chronic pain, anxiety, and making edibles at home. It's already activated — no decarbing needed! Hashtag staff use it for illness relief, travel anxiety, easy edibles, and managing chronic conditions. Start with a rice-grain-sized dose and go slow!
So glad you asked! Let’s cover a few basics first before we dive in.
What Does RSO Stand For?
To start off with, RSO is an acronym for Rick Simpson Oil.
Okay, So … What Is Rick Simpson Oil, and Who Is Rick Simpson?
Rick Simpson’s namesake oil is the key character in anecdotes shared far and wide within the medical cannabis community, all focused on the intensive therapeutic experiences recounted by so many individuals who consume this form of sticky, oily cannabis concentrate.
In 2003, Rick Simpson developed a very straightforward and simple extraction methodology for ultra-potent, full-spectrum cannabis concentrates, and that form of cannabis concentrate became known as Rick Simpson Oil, or RSO for short.
In his method, alcohol-based solvents extract the full spectrum of cannabinoid and terpenoid compounds from cannabis plant matter, producing a thick, almost syrupy, highly concentrated oil. A “full spectrum” extract preserves the same cannabinoid and terpene profile as the raw plant it was extracted from.
The reason RSO is so synonymous with full-bodied therapeutic relief is because full spectrum extracts engage with our endocannabinoid system (ECS) very differently than isolated components of cannabis extracts, such as THC isolate and/or CBD isolate. Check out our most recent blog post on CBD to learn more about endocannabinoids and our ECS.
How to Use RSO: Our Top Five Favorite Ways
We at Hashtag LOVE our RSO and its many different ways to elevate distinct, individual aspects of our lives. Some of our staff find RSO to be absolutely integral to their day to day life because of the relief it provides for their chronic illnesses and symptoms. Others of us enjoy RSO for the more recreational benefits associated with this product.
Here’s our top five favorite ways to consume RSO and reap the rewards!
Choking while smoking? Forget about it! Choke no more, friends!
RSO is a go-to for some of Hashtag’s budtenders when smoking their cannabis as per usual is no longer ideal.
Hashtag Redmond budtender Amanda S. recommends keeping a high CBD variety of RSO on hand. Whenever she feels herself coming down with a cold, her first line of defense against those icky, sluggish, achy feelings is to dose herself with one click of Fairwinds’ 10:1 CBD full extract cannabis oil (FECO).
Hot tip from Amanda: Coming down with a cold? Try one click of Fairwinds’ 10:1 CBD full extract cannabis oil (FECO), shown here.
2. Searching for relaxation unlike ever before? Dose that RSO carefully!
Hashtag Redmond’s very own Tyler looks no further than a THC-rich variety from our RSO selection! He describes the intense tranquilizing nature of this potent extract quite aptly:
Within an hour or two after consumption, I am deep into the effects of the RSO, which often materializes as a heavy case of the yawns and a swell cascade of euphoria. If you can shake off those sleepy vibes, the high is a body-oriented mellowness that helps me feel relaxed and also at ease. I keep my dosages at a rice grain or two in length, as RSO has previously overwhelmed me with a strong push to tap out with a nap out. If I am looking for a hefty dosage of cannabis and want a lengthy time being high, my go to is RSO! —Tyler
Hot tip from Tyler: If you don’t want to tap out with a nap out, keep your RSO dosage smaller than this glob of RSO by Hitz!
3. Anxious traveller? I understand!
My ideal travel companion is a hefty dose of some RSO squirted out onto a peanut butter sandwich.
I’ll munch down on one of these a couple of hours before a flight for some powerful (and sedative) anxiety relief! It puts me in the perfect state of mind and body for a long day of travel.
Hot tip from Rachel: Pre-travel jitters? Try a hefty dose of RSO squirted out onto a peanut butter sandwich, like this RSO by Hitz.
4. Convenience. Need I say more?
Our team member Caleb prioritizes efficiency in life, so it is no surprise that Caleb turns to RSO when he may be lacking some motivation in the kitchen:
Personally, I love RSO for making edibles because it is an easy and accessible way to make infused treats for someone like myself, who has NO experience making infused canna-butter or cooking oil. RSO is great because it is already fully activated and easy to incorporate (with a little patience) into any simple brownie or cake mix. I'm in the class of lazy stoners, and RSO allows me to make edibles at home without a lot of fuss. —Caleb
Hot tip from Caleb: Mix RSO directly into your recipe! This Green Revolution 1:1 CBD Serum can turn any old energy ball into a high-CBD treat.
5. Chronic illness or fatigue? You aren’t alone.
Jenn, one of our budtenders, fights through intense pain and exhaustion daily due to her chronic illness. She finds that Lazy Bee Gardens’ Indica RSO blend is a must-have in her self-care toolbox. She, much like Caleb, speaks to the convenient nature of dosing oneself with RSO, but from a more medical perspective:
Some days -- there just isn’t the energy for other methods. Preparing something to smoke, slathering yourself in topicals, or even inserting a suppository requires energy that I might not have, but I still NEED some kind of easy-to-administer relief. —Jenn
Jenn recommends, if you aren’t a fan of the bitter, weedy taste associated with RSO, topping off a bowl of Ramen or other noodle soup with your preferred dosage completely masks the flavor!
Hot tip from Jenn: If you aren’t a fan of the taste of RSO, take it with Ramen to mask the flavor!
These are just a few of the many ways our staff chooses to tailor their own unique, individual experiences with RSO. Visit us anytime at Hashtag Cannabis in Seattle or Redmond, and ask a budtender today about their favorite way of using RSO and what benefits it brings to their life.
Where Can I Find RSO?
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 Section (Blog-Ready, Informal & Educational)
What is RSO good for — what are the most common uses?
RSO is incredibly versatile! The Hashtag team uses it for everything from managing chronic pain and illness to easing travel anxiety, getting deep relaxation, making homemade edibles, and supporting general wellness. Because it's a full-spectrum extract containing the complete range of cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant, it engages the body's endocannabinoid system more completely than isolated THC or CBD products — which is why so many people find it especially effective for relief.
Can you put RSO directly in food or drinks
Absolutely — and it's one of the easiest ways to take it! RSO can be squirted onto a peanut butter sandwich, stirred into Ramen or noodle soup (which does a great job of masking the bitter taste), mixed into brownie or cake batter, or added to any recipe that calls for a fat-based ingredient. Because RSO is already fully activated, there's no need to decarb — it goes straight into your recipe. Just be precise with your dose since a little goes a very long way!
Does RSO taste bad and how can you mask the flavor?
RSO does have a distinctly bitter, earthy, weedy flavor that not everyone enjoys on its own. The good news is it's easy to mask! Hashtag's own Jenn recommends adding it to Ramen or noodle soup, where the savory broth completely covers the taste. A peanut butter sandwich is another fan favorite — the rich, nutty flavor of PB does a great job of hiding the RSO. Strong-flavored foods are your best friend when it comes to making RSO more palatable.
How much RSO should I take for the first time? Start with a rice-grain-sized amount — seriously, that small! RSO is one of the most potent cannabis products you'll find at a dispensary, and even experienced consumers can be caught off guard by its intensity. Hashtag's Tyler recommends keeping doses to one or two rice grains in length, and always waiting 1–2 hours before considering more. The effects can be deeply relaxing and long-lasting, so give yourself plenty of time in a comfortable setting the first time you try it.
Is RSO good for making homemade edibles? It's one of the best options out there! Hashtag's Caleb loves RSO for edibles specifically because it's already activated — no need to make cannabutter or infused oil from scratch. You can mix it directly into any brownie mix, cake batter, or energy ball recipe with just a little patience and a warm syringe. It's genuinely the most beginner-friendly way to make potent, reliable homemade edibles without a lot of preparation or equipment.
Can RSO help with chronic illness or severe symptoms?
Many medical cannabis patients find RSO to be one of the most effective options for managing serious symptoms. Hashtag's own Jenn, who manages a chronic illness daily, describes RSO as essential to her self-care routine because of how easy it is to administer even on low-energy days — no preparation, no equipment, just a small dose when she needs it most. Its full-spectrum composition means the whole range of cannabinoids are working together, which many patients find more effective than isolated products. Always consult a healthcare provider for medical guidance.
Want to learn more about RSO and how to use it?
Then check out our collection of related posts here!