Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) at Mass. Alternative Care Dispensaries

By Mass Alternative Care
June 27th, 2025

If you are a cannabis enthusiast, you likely know about Rick Simpson Oil (RSO). RSO has been an iconic part of cannabis culture since the late ’90s, when cannabis was not only illegal in the US (except California) and Canada but considered taboo. Today, this concentrated therapeutic cannabis oil is found in quality legal dispensaries, like Mass Alternative Care (MAC). Learn about RSO, including its benefits and how to find a MAC dispensary that has Rick Simpson Oil.

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What is Rick Simpson Oil (RSO)?

Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is a highly potent cannabis extract recognized for its high THC content and potential health benefits. Created by Rick Simpson, a Canadian engineer, and advocate for medical cannabis, RSO gained attention after Simpson developed it in 2003 to treat his basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer).

Although medical marijuana was legal in Canada, when Simpson began mass-producing the oil and providing it free to thousands of patients, in 2009, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police raided his property, seizing thousands of cannabis plants. To avoid prosecution, Simpson moved to Croatia, where he continues to share his RSO recipe, dosing guide, and books online.

How Does RSO Work?

RSO interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates vital body functions like immune response, pain, inflammation, mood, and sleep. RSO’s high THC binds with the brain’s CB1 receptors and central nervous system, producing therapeutic effects that can help with pain perception and mood, for example.

RSO’s other cannabinoids, like CBD, engage the CB2 receptors, found mainly in peripheral tissues and immune cells, to help with general wellness. This interaction, known as the entourage effect, enhances ECS function and promotes good mental and physical health.

What Are the Benefits of RSO?

RSO offers several potential therapeutic benefits. Although studies on its medical applications are still evolving, prior research shows RSO’s full-spectrum of beneficial plant compounds may offer health-related benefits. Some evidence-based therapeutic applications:

Anxiety/Mood Disorders: Rich in THC and CBD, RSO may offer therapeutic support for some mood disorders—especially when used in lower doses, since higher THC can increase anxiety. Research shows THC and CBD may help manage conditions like depression and anxiety.
Chronic pain: Studies suggest RSO’s concentrated cannabinoids and nutrients that interact with the ECS offer potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Neurological Conditions: Research suggests compounds in RSO have potential neuroprotective properties.
Cancer and Cancer Symptoms: Studies show RSO compounds may influence cell proliferation and apoptosis—cell death—processes regulated by the ECS, making it a unique therapeutic option.
Sleep Disorders: Research suggests RSO’s elevated CBD and THC, cannabinoids with calming and sedative effects, can help sleep issues, including enhanced rest and better sleep quality.
Appetite Stimulation: RSO’s high THC, known from studies to increase appetite, suggests it has appetite-enhancing effects.

Dispensary That Has RSO

Mass Alternative Care (MAC), with two adult-use and medical cannabis dispensaries in Chicopee and Amherst, MA, is a dispensary that has Rick Simpson Oil in a variety of products. MAC produces RSO in-house from a blend of its own award-winning strains, which assures potency, quality, and effectiveness of its products. MAC RSO premium products are always the best in Massachusetts.

Some MAC RSO products: