RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) in NYC

So what exactly is RSO?

RSO is named after Rick Simpson, who popularized making and using whole-plant cannabis oil in the 2000s. The name now describes a category, not a single brand, so you'll see different producers selling their own RSO on dispensary menus.

Unlike a clear distillate that's stripped down to mostly THC, RSO keeps a broad slice of the plant intact: cannabinoids like THC, CBD, and CBN plus the original terpenes. That whole-plant profile is why people call it full-spectrum.

The texture is part of the identity. RSO looks almost black, pulls like molasses, and has a strong, earthy taste. It is not meant to be pretty. It's meant to be concentrated and complete.

How is RSO actually made?

The classic method uses food-grade ethanol as the solvent. The cannabis is soaked, the plant matter is strained out, and the remaining liquid is reduced under low heat until only the oil remains. Decarboxylation during this process activates the THC.

Because it captures so much of the plant, RSO tends to be one of the most potent products in any category. Lab certificates of analysis, called COAs, list the cannabinoid breakdown so you know what you're getting. If you want to read one, see our guide on how to read a COA.

At Rezidue, every concentrate we carry, RSO included, is sourced from licensed New York producers and OCM-tested. We do not sell untested oil, and neither should any licensed shop.

What do people use RSO for?

RSO is most often taken orally, either placed directly under the tongue or swallowed. Taken this way it behaves like an edible, with a slower onset and a longer, heavier experience than smoking or vaping.

Some people also add a rice-grain-sized amount to food or a capsule, and others spread a thin line onto rolling papers or a bowl. How you use it changes the timing, so go slow the first time.

We frame these as commonly reported uses, not medical advice. If you have health questions, talk to a clinician. For a broader look at the plant, our strains guide covers indica, sativa, and hybrid profiles.

How do I dose RSO from a syringe?

The syringe makes measuring easier than it looks. Most are marked in milliliters or grams, and many producers print a suggested starting amount on the label. Warming the syringe in your hands for a minute makes the oil flow.

Because oral RSO acts like a potent edible, it can take 60 to 120 minutes to peak and the effects can last hours. Treat your first dose as a test, not a target.

If you ever feel you've taken too much, the reported feeling passes with time, hydration, and rest. For dialing in oral doses generally, our edible dosing guide walks through the same start-low logic.

• Pick a calm evening with nothing scheduled after
• Dose a rice-grain amount or less, once
• Wait a full two hours before any redose
• Store the syringe upright, cool, and out of reach of kids and pets

RSO vs distillate vs live resin: what's the difference?

All three are concentrates, but their goals are different. RSO chases completeness, distillate chases pure potency, and live resin chases flavor. Knowing which one you want makes shopping the concentrate case much faster.

How you consume each one differs too: RSO is usually ingested, distillate often lives in vape carts, and live resin is built for dabbing and vaping.

How do I buy RSO at Rezidue in Hell's Kitchen?

The store sits in Hell's Kitchen, a short walk from the A/C/E at 50th Street and the 1 at 50th, with Times Square, the Theater District, and Hudson Yards all nearby. Coming from Port Authority or the Manhattan Cruise Terminal is easy too.

Hours are Monday through Saturday 12pm to 10pm and Sunday 1pm to 9pm. Order ahead for pickup or choose same-day delivery across Manhattan and a licensed driver brings it to your door.

Browse the full concentrate selection on our shop, and a budtender can walk you through which RSO suits a first-timer versus a seasoned user. Remember, RSO is a concentrate, so it counts toward your 24-gram daily limit.