Online Scammers undermine Rick Simpson’s Efforts

Canadian icon Rick Simpson has become a global symbol for cancer patients advocating for governmental and medical recognition of cannabis. Simpson’s miraculous cannabis oil-induced recovery from skin cancer not only shed light on the potential of marijuana as medicine, but his grassroots campaign spread knowledge about the herb and inspired thousands of people. Since then, Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) has gained international notoriety as a high-quality, THC-based oil concentrate with robust curative effects.

Simpson, like other medical marijuana freedom fighters, sees more value in cannabis than just monetary gain. As such, he says he literally feels that “God’s Law” has directed humankind to use this plant. What’s more, Simpson has never monetized RSO or his fame, even though it is believed that he has helped cure cancer in more than 5,000 people. At a time when everyone knows somebody who has died from cancer, take a minute to reflect on the magnitude and impact of Simpson’s undertaking.

After Maximum Yield included Simpson in “Five People Who Changed the Cannabis Landscape” Danijela Smiljanić Simpson, Simpson’s wife, noted that her husband’s efforts to improve people’s lives is being undermined by online scammers.

According to Smiljanić Simpson, people have been hijacking her husband’s name and image in the sale of subpar, fake, and non-existent RSO products online and in cannabis dispensaries. Some of these people have even posed as Simpson himself. It goes without saying, taking advantage of sick people and selling fake medicine goes against the very grain of Simpson’s existence. He says he feels that “high-quality cannabis extracts should be made available at very reasonable costs since this is a very cheap medication to produce.” Similarly, Simpson abides by the notion that “the knowledge surrounding the medicinal value of this plant is something we should all have.”

RSO Scams Online and on Social Media

Due to his unflinching efforts to promote cannabis oil medicine, Simpson has achieved a high level of credibility within the circles of marijuana advocacy. His involvement in the medical marijuana field is a mix of personal experience, altruistic intent, medical critic, and government skeptic. As such, he has literally taken it upon himself to circumvent the “misguided” ethos of Western medicine and directly supply cancer patients with cannabis medicines and data.

People have come to trust Simpson’s opinion concerning marijuana, largely because medical authorities and governments continue to refute the legitimacy of the medicine. It is this trust that is being exploited by RSO scammers. According to Simpson, these medical marijuana patients “have nowhere to turn” for medicine and are being preyed upon by internet criminals.

Using fake social media accounts and websites, these imposters are reportedly scamming cancer patients out of tens of thousands of dollars. While researching this article, I came across several social media pages using Simpson’s name and image, some guiding users to another website for financial transactions. In one of the most appalling cases, an elderly cancer patient reported to Simpson that she sent an imposter $20,000, only to be delivered a fake RSO product which he described as “garbage.” Similarly, RSO scammers often prompt cancer patients to “wire” them money with no intentions of ever fulfilling the orders.

RSO at Dispensaries

It is important to understand that Simpson has never branded or monetized RSO, nor has he sanctioned a single RSO product being sold at cannabis dispensaries in the United States, Canada, or anywhere else. Simpson says he wants it to be known that concentrates marketed as RSO at dispensaries are not dependable as medicines, and that he has never authorized the use of his name and “has nothing to do with” these products and businesses.

While Simpson understands that not every cannabis business selling necessarily does so with malicious or misleading intent, he wants the public to know that unauthentic oil is not reliable for the treatment of cancer. For starters, Simpson notes that the “fractured” nature of product testing standards in the cannabis industry makes the reliable verification of correctly made RSO next to impossible. He also says he fears that “the quality [of RSO sold in dispensaries] often bears little resemblance” to the medicine he came to perfect. This is because most cannabis businesses produce a low-quality oil made from excess leaf trim and popcorn buds. From Simpson’s experience with his own cannabis oil-induced cancer recovery, he says he feels that “THC is the real cancer killer.” Point being, only premium-quality indica flowers with 20 per cent THC or higher can be used to make real RSO. Simspon adds he doesn’t see any of the businesses selling RSO paying the attention to quality and consistency he uses in his own formula.

Accessing Real Rick Simpson Oil

If medical marijuana patients or caregivers are interested in accessing real RSO, Simpson recommends that they grow their own plants and process their own oil. He feels strongly that if patients don’t produce their own medicine, they won’t be aware of potential impurities in the way of pesticides and solvents.

Precise directions for creating Simpson’s famous curative cannabis oil can be found in his book, The Rick Simpson Story. This book, as well as additional information about RSO products, can be accessed through phoenixtears.ca and simpsonramadur.com, Simpson’s only official websites. His authentic social media platforms can be found through those sites.