It is a question that pops up in every cannabis forum from California to Croatia. People want to know the status of the man who arguably did more to mainstream high-potency cannabis oil than anyone else on the planet. Honestly, if you've spent any time looking into alternative cancer treatments or "Phoenix Tears," you've probably heard the name Rick Simpson. You might have also heard the rumors.
The short answer is yes. As of early 2026, Rick Simpson is still alive.
But "alive" and "active" are two very different things in this context. If you’re expecting to see him on a stage at a cannabis convention anytime soon, you’re going to be disappointed. The guy has been through the wringer. He isn't the robust, outspoken engineer from Nova Scotia he used to be. Life, as it often does, threw him a massive curveball that forced him into a quiet, somewhat difficult retirement far away from the spotlight.
What happened to Rick Simpson?
The story of why he "disappeared" doesn't involve some secret government agency or a witness protection program, though some of the more colorful corners of the internet love those theories. The reality is much more human and, frankly, a bit sad.
Back in 2018, Rick suffered a severe stroke.
This wasn't just a minor health scare. It was a life-altering event that left him paralyzed on his left side. For a man who spent his life traveling, speaking, and teaching people how to cook down kilograms of cannabis into potent medicine, being sidelined like this was a massive blow. He retreated to Zagreb, Croatia, with his wife, Danijela, to focus on a recovery that has been long, grueling, and incredibly expensive.
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Since that stroke, Rick has been largely out of the public eye. You won't find recent interviews on YouTube where he’s debating doctors. Most of what we know comes from his family or the occasional update on his official site, which, by the way, is often buried under a mountain of "official-looking" fake websites trying to sell you knock-off oil.
The struggle in Croatia
You’d think a guy whose name is on a product sold in almost every legal dispensary in North America would be sitting on a mountain of cash. You’d be wrong. Rick famously never patented his recipe. He gave it away for free. He wanted anyone with a rice cooker and some solvent to be able to make their own medicine.
Because of that "altruistic" approach, he doesn't see a dime from the commercial sales of RSO (Rick Simpson Oil).
Kinda ironic, right?
While big cannabis companies make millions using his branding and his methods, Rick has spent the last several years struggling with medical bills. His family has actually had to run GoFundMe campaigns just to keep up with the costs of his therapy and care. It’s a stark reminder that being a pioneer doesn’t always pay the bills.
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In 2023, there were some pretty nasty death hoaxes circulating online. Rick actually had to release a video message—looking much thinner and clearly recovering from the stroke—to prove he was still here. He even joked that the reports of his death were "greatly exaggerated."
Why the "Is Rick Simpson Still Alive" question keeps coming up
The reason people keep searching for his status is that RSO has become a staple in the medical cannabis community. Whether you're a believer in his claims that it can "cure" cancer or you're just using it for chronic pain or sleep, the oil is a heavy hitter.
Here is the thing most people get wrong: Rick Simpson isn't a doctor.
He was a power engineer at a hospital. He discovered the benefits of cannabis oil after a workplace accident left him with permanent tinnitus and dizzy spells. He claimed he used the oil to treat three spots of basal cell carcinoma on his arm, and when they disappeared, he became an evangelist.
But because he’s not a medical professional, and because he’s been so quiet since 2018, there is a vacuum of information. People see "RSO" on a menu at a shop in Massachusetts or Colorado and wonder if the man himself is still out there fighting the good fight.
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The current state of RSO in 2026
Today, RSO is everywhere, but it’s evolved.
- Commercial RSO: Most of what you buy in a dispensary is made with CO2 or ethanol extraction.
- The Original Method: Rick’s original recipe involved using naphtha or isopropyl alcohol, which a lot of modern labs avoid because of the risk of residual solvents.
- The Legend: Despite his absence, his "Phoenix Tears" brand remains the gold standard for full-spectrum extracts.
What we can learn from his journey
If you’re looking into Rick Simpson because you or a loved one is dealing with a serious health issue, there are a few practical things you should keep in mind.
First, be incredibly careful about where you get your information. Rick’s official website is phoenixtears.ca. Almost every other site using his name is a third-party seller or, in many cases, a flat-out scam. Rick doesn't sell oil online. If a website claims "Rick Simpson" is personally mailing you a bottle of oil from a lab, it's fake.
Second, acknowledge the limitations. While Rick is a hero to many, his methods were born out of a time when cannabis was completely illegal and people had to be their own doctors. In 2026, we have much better testing and safety standards. You can get the benefits of his "full-spectrum" philosophy without the risk of using dangerous solvents in your kitchen.
What to do next
If you want to support the man who started it all or learn his actual protocols, here are the most authentic next steps:
- Check the Official Source: Go to phoenixtears.ca for his actual dosing guides. Don't rely on screenshots from Pinterest.
- Verify Your Product: If you are buying "RSO" from a dispensary, ask for the Certificate of Analysis (COA). You want to make sure it’s truly full-spectrum and doesn't have leftover solvents.
- Consult a Cannabis-Informed MD: Rick’s advice was "take a grain of rice worth until you can handle a gram a day." That’s a massive dose of THC. If you’re not experienced, you will have a very bad time. Talk to a professional who understands cannabinoids.
- Support the Family: If you feel like you owe him for the help his recipe gave you, look for the official donation links on his verified social media or website to help with his ongoing stroke recovery.
Rick Simpson is a living legend, even if he’s currently living a very quiet life in Croatia. He changed the way the world looks at cannabis, and his survival—despite the health challenges—is a testament to the same grit that led him to challenge the Canadian government decades ago.
Next Steps for Patients: If you're considering starting an RSO regimen, your first move should be a "micro-dose" test. Start with a portion smaller than a half-grain of rice to see how your body reacts to the intense THC concentration before moving to the full "Simpson Protocol."