The Truth About Rick Simpson: Is The RSO Creator Dead? A 2025 Health Update

The question of whether Rick Simpson is dead has become a recurring source of confusion and alarm across the internet, particularly within the medical cannabis community. This persistent rumor is often fueled by the passing of other individuals who share the same common name, leading to viral misinformation. As of today, December 17, 2025, the latest information confirms that the famous Canadian medical marijuana activist and creator of Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is still alive, though he has maintained a lower public profile in recent years.

The latest waves of concern arose from multiple obituaries in 2024 for individuals named "Ricky Simpson" or "Rick Simpson" in the United States. However, these reports pertain to different people. The global cannabis community can be assured that the pioneer responsible for popularizing the high-THC cannabis extract known as RSO is still alive, continuing his advocacy from behind the scenes while managing his own personal health challenges.

Rick Simpson: The RSO Creator's Biography and Profile

Rick Simpson is a pivotal figure in the modern medical cannabis movement, known for his relentless advocacy and the creation of a highly concentrated cannabis oil extract, which he named Phoenix Tears, but is now universally known as Rick Simpson Oil (RSO). His life story is one of personal tragedy, self-experimentation, and a passionate, decades-long battle against pharmaceutical interests and government prohibition.

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• Full Name: Rick Simpson (Richard Simpson)
• Nationality: Canadian
• Occupation: Former Engineer, Medical Cannabis Activist, Author, and Public Speaker
• Key Invention: Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) / Phoenix Tears
• Birth Date: Information is kept private, but he is widely believed to have been born in the mid-1950s.
• Key Event (1997): Suffered a severe head injury while working as a hospital engineer in Canada, which led to chronic pain and debilitating symptoms. Traditional medicine failed to provide relief.
• Key Event (2003): Diagnosed with a form of skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma).
• Catalyst for RSO: Inspired by a study on THC’s potential to kill cancer cells, Simpson created a potent cannabis extract and claims to have cured his own skin cancer by applying the oil topically.
• Advocacy & Philosophy: Simpson's core mission has always been to provide the cannabis oil to people for free and to encourage home production, famously refusing to patent his method to ensure global accessibility.
• Legal Troubles: Faced multiple raids and legal battles in Canada for cultivating cannabis and possessing the oil, despite his medical use claims.
• Current Status: Alive, but with a reduced public presence due to health issues, primarily a stroke suffered in 2018.

The 2024 Death Rumors: Separating Fact from Viral Fiction

The persistent online query, "Is Rick Simpson dead?" is almost always traceable to the passing of other individuals with the same name. This phenomenon is common for public figures, but for Simpson, it is compounded by his withdrawal from the public eye following a major health event.

The Confusion Points: 2024 Obituaries

In 2024, several obituaries for men named Rick Simpson or Ricky Simpson circulated, causing the latest surge of rumors. For instance, reports confirmed the passing of a “Ricky ‘Rick’ Simpson” in February 2024 in Oregon, and another “Ricky Earl Simpson” in November 2024 in Ohio.

These individuals are not the famous Canadian RSO creator. The activist Rick Simpson has a distinct public profile, being a Canadian engineer and advocate, not associated with the specific US locations mentioned in these obituaries. The confusion highlights the danger of relying on partial information when dealing with a common name.

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The High Times Update and Stroke Recovery

The most concrete information about the RSO creator's personal health in recent years stems from a 2018 report that he suffered a severe stroke. This health crisis is the primary reason for his significant reduction in public appearances, speaking engagements, and interviews since that time.

While recovering from a stroke is a long and challenging process, the fact that major industry events are still planning to honor him in the present tense serves as a strong indicator of his continued life. For example, he has been recognized for a Lifetime Achievement Award at a major industry event, with the announcement and promotion occurring in the 2025 timeframe.

The Current Status of Rick Simpson and His RSO Legacy in 2025

As of 2025, Rick Simpson’s focus remains on his recovery and personal life, but his legacy and the movement he started are more active than ever. His name is synonymous with the full-spectrum cannabis extract he championed, and the oil is now a staple product in the legal cannabis industry across North America and beyond.

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The Enduring Power of RSO (Rick Simpson Oil)

RSO is a highly viscous, dark oil that contains a full profile of cannabinoids, including high levels of THC, terpenes, and other plant compounds. Simpson’s protocol famously involves consuming 60 grams of the oil over a 90-day period. The oil is commonly used by patients seeking alternative or complementary treatments for a variety of severe conditions.

The current legal and medical landscape for RSO is complex, but its popularity is undeniable:

• Medical Use: RSO is sought after for its potential benefits in managing symptoms related to cancer, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, insomnia, and epilepsy.
• Legal Availability: While illegal at the federal level in the U.S., RSO is widely available in states with legal medical and recreational cannabis markets. The method and the oil are a major part of the discussion in medical cannabis advocacy worldwide.
• Current Research: Despite its anecdotal success and viral popularity, the scientific community continues to call for more rigorous, large-scale clinical trials to validate the claims made about RSO’s efficacy against cancer and other serious diseases.

Rick Simpson's Continuing Influence

Despite his private life, Simpson’s influence persists through his official website and the numerous organizations that have adopted his name and mission. His goal was never personal profit, but universal access, a philosophy that continues to shape the RSO movement and the full-spectrum extract market.

The fact that new articles in 2025 continue to detail the history, benefits, and application of Rick Simpson Oil and its homemade recipe confirms his status as a living legend whose work is still driving the conversation around alternative cancer treatments and cannabis medicine.

In conclusion, the answer to the question "Is Rick Simpson dead?" is No. The Canadian cannabis pioneer is alive, recovering from a stroke, and his legacy continues to thrive, making him an enduring and controversial figure in the world of natural health and marijuana activism.