FECO vs RSO: Understanding Full Extract Cannabis Oil and Rick Simpson Oil

If you have been exploring Florida medical marijuana concentrates, you have probably come across FECO and RSO. Both are powerful full-spectrum cannabis oils, but they are not the same thing.

Understanding the difference can help you have better conversations with your dispensary budtenders and make more informed choices about your medicine.

What is FECO?

FECO stands for Full Extract Cannabis Oil. As the name suggests, it is a complete extraction of the cannabis plant that preserves the full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds.

How FECO is Made

FECO is typically made using food-grade ethanol (grain alcohol) to extract compounds from the cannabis plant material. The process involves:

Cannabis flower is soaked in ethanol to dissolve cannabinoids and terpenes
The alcohol is then evaporated, leaving behind a concentrated oil
Some producers use additional filtration steps to remove plant material
The final product is a dark, viscous oil that is highly potent

Because ethanol extracts a wide range of compounds, FECO retains the plants natural profile — including THC, CBD, minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.

FECO Characteristics

Appearance: Dark, thick oil (almost black)
Potency: Very high — often 60-80% THC or more
Taste: Strong, earthy, plant-like flavor
Consistency: Thick and sticky
Consumption: Usually taken sublingually (under the tongue), added to food/drinks, or put in capsules

Common FECO Uses

Managing chronic pain
Reducing inflammation
Improving sleep
Seizure management (high-CBD FECO formulations)
Patients needing high, consistent doses

What is RSO?

RSO stands for Rick Simpson Oil, named after Rick Simpson, who popularized this specific extraction method in the mid-2000s as a treatment for his own skin cancer.

How RSO is Made

RSO is technically a type of FECO, but made with a specific protocol:

Uses naphtha or isopropyl alcohol as the solvent (more aggressive than ethanol)
Involves multiple washes of the plant material to extract everything possible
The solvent is boiled off completely (no residual solvent allowed)
The result is a thick, dark oil with extremely high cannabinoid content

Important: Because RSO traditionally uses solvents like naphtha, quality and safety depend heavily on the producers skill and purging process. Many modern producers now make RSO-style oils using safer solvents like ethanol.

RSO Characteristics

Appearance: Very dark, thick oil (black tar-like consistency)
Potency: Extremely high — often 70-90% THC
Taste: Harsh, bitter, strong solvent/plant taste
Consistency: Thick, sticky, similar to tar
Consumption: Usually taken orally, sometimes applied topically

Common RSO Uses

Cancer symptom management (nausea, pain, appetite)
Severe chronic pain
High-dose protocols for serious conditions
Patients with high tolerance
Topical application for skin conditions

Key Differences: FECO vs RSO

Feature	FECO	RSO
Solvent	Typically ethanol (food-grade)	Traditionally naphtha/iso, now often ethanol
Extraction	Standard extraction	Multi-wash aggressive extraction
Potency	High (60-80% THC)	Very high (70-90% THC)
Taste	Strong, earthy	Harsh, bitter
Purity	Cleaner, more refined	Can contain more plant material/impurities
Price	Usually less expensive	Often more expensive
Availability	Increasingly common	Less common
Best For	General medical use, patients wanting full spectrum	High-dose protocols, severe symptoms

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose FECO if:

You are new to cannabis oils and want a full-spectrum product
You prefer a product made with food-grade ethanol
You want the entourage effect (cannabinoids and terpenes working together)
You are managing general medical conditions (pain, inflammation, sleep)
You want a cleaner taste

Choose RSO if:

You need very high doses for serious symptoms
You are following a specific RSO protocol (like for cancer)
You have high tolerance and need potency
You understand and trust the producers process
Cost is less of a concern than maximum strength

How to Take FECO and RSO

Sublingual (Under the Tongue)

Place desired dose under your tongue
Hold for 60-90 seconds before swallowing
Effects typically onset in 30-60 minutes

Ingestion (Mixed with Food or Drink)

Mix into fatty foods (yogurt, peanut butter, ice cream)
Add to smoothies or tea
Takes longer to work (1-2 hours) but lasts longer

Capsules

Many dispensaries sell pre-measured capsules
Easiest for consistent dosing
No taste issues

Topical

RSO can be applied directly to skin for localized pain
Some patients mix with coconut oil for easier application

Dosing Considerations

Start low and go slow — especially with FECO and RSO.

First-time users: Start with rice grain-sized amount (5-10mg THC)
Wait 2 hours before taking more
Keep a journal to track what works for you
Talk to your doctor about cannabis as part of your treatment plan

Both FECO and RSO are potent products. What works for one patient may be too much (or too little) for another. Your ideal dose depends on:

Your tolerance level
The condition you are treating
Your metabolism
The products specific potency

Finding Quality FECO and RSO in Florida

When shopping at Florida dispensaries:

Ask about the solvent used — ethanol is preferred over harsher chemicals
Request lab tests — reputable brands test for potency and contaminants
Check the color — should be dark and consistent, not light or watery
Ask about production methods — transparent brands will explain their process
Start with reputable producers — brands with track records of quality

Florida Dispensaries with Good Oil Options

Trulieve — Offers both RSO and FECO products, good availability
The Flowery — Premium extracts, 710 Labs products
Jungle Boys — High-quality concentrates when available
Sunburn — Competitive pricing on concentrates

Always check CannaDealsFL for current deals on concentrates at Florida dispensaries.

Safety Notes

Keep away from children and pets — these are very potent products
Store in a cool, dark place — heat and light degrade cannabinoids
Do not drive after consuming — impairment can be significant
Be patient — these products can take time to find your optimal dose

Bottom Line

FECO and RSO are both powerful full-spectrum cannabis oils that offer patients an alternative to smoking or vaping. RSO is essentially a specific type of FECO made with a more aggressive extraction method.

For most Florida medical marijuana patients:

Start with FECO if you want full-spectrum benefits with a cleaner product
Consider RSO if you need maximum potency for serious symptoms

The best choice depends on your specific medical needs, tolerance, and what is available at your local dispensary. Always consult with your certifying physician and dispensary staff when trying new cannabis products.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider about medical marijuana treatment.