How To Make Rick Simpson Oil: A Technical Guide To Full-Spectrum Cannabis Extraction

Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is a highly concentrated, full-spectrum cannabis extract produced by washing raw plant material with a volatile solvent—traditionally high-proof food-grade ethanol or isopropyl alcohol—to strip trichomes, followed by low-temperature solvent evaporation. Achieving a pure, decarboxylated, and solvent-free extract requires strict adherence to volume ratios, ventilation protocols, and thermal thresholds to ensure both safety and biochemical preservation.

Pre-Operation & Equipment Checklist

Producing medical-grade full-spectrum extract at home requires careful preparation to manage volatile solvent vapors, maintain thermal control, and prevent contamination. Working in a well-ventilated space without open flames, sparks, or gas pilot lights is a mandatory prerequisite standard for safety.

• Essential Gear and Materials:
  
  
  • 1 pound (approximately 454 grams) of dried, cured high-THC cannabis flower or trim
  • 1 to 2 gallons of 99% or higher purity food-grade ethanol (isopropyl alcohol is an alternative, but food-grade ethanol is superior for human consumption safety)
  • Two large food-grade stainless steel or glass mixing bowls
  • A fine-mesh metal strainer and unbleached cheesecloth or nylon extraction bags (160 to 220 micron)
  • A digital hot plate with precise temperature control (open-coil burners or gas stoves must be avoided)
  • A rice cooker or digital electric skillet with a low-heat setting
  • A borosilicate glass syringe or amber glass storage jars with airtight lids
  • Personal protective equipment including nitrile gloves and safety glasses
• Prerequisite Standards and Scope:
  
  
  • Extraction duration: 3 to 5 hours from wash to final purge.
  • Yield expectations: Approximately 10% to 20% by weight, yielding roughly 45 to 90 grams of RSO per pound of starting material, depending on cultivar potency and trichome density.
  • Environmental requirements: Class 1 Division 1 equivalent workspace, meaning zero ignition sources and forced cross-ventilation via explosion-proof fans.

Step-by-Step Extraction Workflow

Step 1: Material Preparation and Freezing

Before introducing any solvent, thermal conditioning of both the plant material and the extraction solvent minimizes the extraction of unwanted water-soluble compounds such as chlorophyll, lipids, and plant waxes. Place your 1 pound of cannabis material and your container of ethanol into a deep freezer set to negative 20 degrees Celsius for a minimum of 24 hours.

Pro-Tip: Pre-freezing prevents the solvent from extracting bitter chlorophyll, resulting in a golden-amber extract with a cleaner flavor profile instead of a dark, bitter, chlorophyll-heavy sludge.

Step 2: The Solvent Wash and Agitation

Remove the chilled plant material and solvent from the freezer. Place the cannabis into your primary stainless steel bowl and pour the frozen ethanol over the plant matter until it is completely submerged. Using a wooden or silicone spoon, gently agitate the mixture for exactly 3 minutes.

Warning: Never blend or grind the cannabis plant material in a mechanical food processor. Breaking down the plant matter physically contaminates the extract with microscopic plant particulate that cannot be strained out.

Step 3: Straining and Secondary Wash

Place your fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a 220-micron wash bag over the second clean stainless steel bowl. Pour the solvent and plant slurry through the filter, squeezing the cloth gently to extract the maximum amount of liquid. Return the damp plant material to the primary bowl for a second quick wash using a smaller amount of fresh chilled ethanol, agitating for 60 seconds, and strain again into the same collection bowl.

Step 4: Solvent Evaporation and Decarboxylation

Transfer the combined green-gold liquid into your rice cooker or digital electric skillet. Turn the heating unit on, keeping the temperature strictly between 100 degrees Celsius and 120 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit to 248 degrees Fahrenheit). Monitor the evaporation process closely as the solvent boils off.

Pro-Tip: Direct a small household fan across the surface of the liquid to accelerate vapor dispersion, and always execute this step outdoors or directly beneath an industrial fume hood.

Step 5: Final Purge and Collection

As the volume decreases and bubbling subsides, the mixture will transition from a mobile liquid to a thick, viscous, tar-like consistency. Add a few drops of distilled water (approximately 10 drops per ounce of oil) during the final stages to help pop microscopic solvent bubbles trapped in the dense matrix. Once bubbling completely stops and the surface is glassy and calm, remove the vessel from the heat source. While the oil is still warm and fluid, draw it directly into your borosilicate glass syringes for easy, clean dispensing and long-term storage.

Parameter Comparison of Extraction Solvents

Common Extraction Failures and Field Fixes

• Root Cause: The final oil is dark green, opaque, and tastes intensely bitter or grassy.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: The solvent or plant material was not cold enough, or the agitation time exceeded recommended limits, causing chlorophyll leaching. Ensure sub-zero temperatures and keep wash times under 3 minutes on future runs.
• Root Cause: The extract remains fluid, sticky, or viscous like honey instead of setting into a thick, glass-like resin at room temperature.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Incomplete solvent purging or inadequate decarboxylation temperature. Re-heat the oil in a glass container on a warm plate at 100 degrees Celsius until micro-bubbles cease entirely.
• Root Cause: A harsh chemical or solvent taste remains present in the finished product.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Solvent entrapment caused by boiling off too rapidly at excessive temperatures or failing to add water at the terminal phase. Always utilize the water drop method during the final purge to drive out residual solvent pockets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between RSO and standard cannabis distillate?

Rick Simpson Oil is a full-spectrum extract containing the plant's complete profile of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and plant waxes. Distillate is a heavily processed, refined isolate that strips away all compounds except for a single isolated cannabinoid, typically THC or CBD.

Can I use rubbing alcohol to make RSO?

While original historical recipes permitted 99% isopropyl alcohol, modern extraction standards strongly recommend high-proof food-grade ethanol. Isopropyl alcohol can leave behind toxic industrial denaturants or residual chemical tastes that are undesirable for medical consumption.

How do I accurately dose Rick Simpson Oil?

Because RSO is highly concentrated and potency varies based on starting material, dosing begins with a tiny droplet roughly the size of a grain of rice (approximately 5 to 10 milligrams of active cannabinoids). Users scale their dosage upward incrementally over several days to evaluate personal tolerance.

How long does homemade RSO last in storage?

When stored in an airtight borosilicate glass syringe or amber glass jar kept in a cool, dark, and dry environment, RSO maintains its chemical integrity for up to two years without significant cannabinoid degradation.

Mastering the production of medicinal-grade cannabis extracts requires precise thermal control, rigorous safety protocols, and quality starting material. Explore our advanced guides on cannabinoid chemistry and solvent recovery techniques to refine your home extraction workflow today.