The Origins Of OG Kush Cannabis

OG Kush is arguably one of the biggest names in cannabis. In this article, we take an in-depth look at this unique weed variety, its heritage and origins, and even shed a light on some of our favourite OG Kush varieties currently on the market. Ready to meet the real OG? Keep reading.

What Is OG Kush?

OG Kush is a hybrid cannabis strain that’s earned its place among the most renowned cannabis varieties on the planet. Bred in the southern US in the 1990s, OG Kush is the direct product of cannabis prohibition and the shift to indoor cultivation that helped growers and breeders escape persecution at the height of the US War on Drugs.

During this shift, OG Kush stood out from other varieties because it delivered delicious, aromatic, and potent buds while being perfectly suited to the indoor grow room. Today, it is still revered by cannabis growers, smokers, and breeders across the globe for these, and many other, unique traits.

Characteristics of OG Kush

OG Kush is one of those strains that’s instantly recognisable to cannabis aficionados and connoisseurs. While its exact genetic lineage isn’t clear, OG Kush delivers big, yet balanced, effects.

While the cannabinoid and terpene concentration of OG Kush can vary from one seed bank’s variety to another, this strain is renowned for its high concentrations of THC. Its effects are best described as an uplifting and creative cerebral buzz that slowly transforms into a deeply relaxing physical stone.

Again, the exact aromas and flavours of OG Kush can vary from one seed bank to another. However, OG Kush is generally characterised by dank notes of earth and pine coupled with subtle woody undertones and fresh citrus overtones. Its flavours are dominated by sweet, earthy, and piney notes.

Where Did OG Kush Originate?

The history behind the creation of even the most famous cannabis varieties is often complex and mysterious, and the story behind OG Kush is no different. And, while we have no concrete accounts on the true origins of this iconic strain, we do at least have plenty of interesting cannabis folklore to contemplate.

One thing we do know for sure? Kush strains, as a family, hail from the Hindu Kush mountains of Central Asia. When travellers from the West discovered landrace strains growing in this area during the 60s and 70s, Hindu Kush seeds were taken back to their homelands, where experimentation begun.

Florida Born and Bred?

One of the main accounts on the origins of OG Kush suggests it was first bred by Matt “Bubba” Berger, a cannabis grower and breeder from Florida. Rumour has it that Berger had a few unique strains under his belt, including a Kush he called “Bubba” (which some believe was actually a Northern Lights cut) and a unique hybrid known as Kryptonite or “Krippy”.

In the 90s, a fellow breeder, known only as Josh D, apparently brought a cutting of one of Berger’s strains to LA. There’s a lot of debate around what strain Josh D brought with him, with some rumours suggesting it was Berger’s “Bubba” while others believe it was his Kryptonite. Whichever it was, Josh D tweaked Berger’s strain to create the OG Kush we know and love today.

OG Kush quickly became super popular all across the American West Coast, where it even gained the moniker “California Queen”. Not only was it loved by growers and smokers, but breeders even used cuts of OG Kush to create a wide variety of new hybrid strains, including Sapphire OG, Larry OG, Purple Kush, and many more. In fact, many Cali breeders and cannabis aficionados would argue that most classic Cali strains have been influenced, in some way or another, by OG Kush.

While the above is the most popular tale about OG Kush’s origins, it isn’t the only one. Some growers claim that OG Kush is either a Chemdawg phenotype or a Chemdawg/Pakistani Kush cross, depending on who you talk to. The truth, obviously, is far from verifiable, and, to some degree, doesn’t matter. What does matter is that OG Kush made its way up from Florida to the West Coast in the 1990s, where it quickly earned its place as one of the most iconic strains on the planet.

What Does the “OG” Mean?

Just like its history is highly debated by cannabis aficionados, so is the meaning behind the OG Kush name. For some, it stands for “original gangster”, paying homage to the gangster rap scene that was born on the West Coast and took the world by storm in the 1990s.

Rappers like Cypress Hill’s B-Real, for example, have coined that origin story, given that OG Kush (and cannabis in general) played a very important role in the music scene at this time.

Others, however, argue that the OG stands for “ocean grown”, given the strain's origins, having been bred along the Florida coast and then brought to fame in California. Luckily, when it comes to the OG Kush name, we’ve got a bit more closure: some sources quote Josh D as saying, “We called it OG because it was authentic… the original”.

Which OG Kush Is the Best?

Today, countless seed banks and hobby breeders have tried their hand at replicating and recreating OG Kush, creating a huge melting pot of genetics. All of these carry the OG Kush name, but deliver very different effects, aromas/flavours, and grow traits.

While arguably every OG Kush cutting has something to offer, some variants simply outperform others. Below, we shine a light on some of our favourite OG Kush versions available via our seed shop.

OG Kush (Zamnesia Seeds)

Our OG Kush is, hands down, one of our best-sellers, so much so that we’re not even ashamed to plug it in this article. Bred from a complex 3-way cross between Chemdawg, Lemon Thai, and Pakistani Kush, the result is an epic spin on the original classic. Boasting up to 19% THC, a delicious, refreshing pine aroma, and a great balance of cerebral euphoria and physical relaxation, there’s very little you won’t enjoy about this specimen.

In the grow room, OG Kush is equally impressive, boasting great yields, a short indica stature that perfectly suits both indoor and outdoor gardens, and a 7–9-week flowering stage that’s very easy to manage. In short, our OG Kush deserves a place in every grower's garden.

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OG Kush (Zamnesia Seeds) feminized

(97)

Parents: Chemdawg x Lemon Thai x Pakistani Kush

Genetics: 75% Indica / 25% Sativa

Flowering Time: 8-9 weeks

THC: 19%

CBD: 3%

Flowering Type: Photoperiod

OG Kush (Royal Queen Seeds)

Courtesy of RQS, this OG Kush variant also harnesses a trifecta of genetics in the form of Chemdawg, Lemon Thai, and Pakistani Kush. The outcome? A 75% indica-dominant specimen with THC levels of around 20%, high CBD levels, and some classic OG flavours and aromas. Expect a soothing, but not couch-locking, smoke peppered with moments of euphoria and pure bliss.

Reaching a medium height, OG Kush plants are capable of churning out respectable yields over their 8–9-week flowering period. Expect up to 450–500g/m² indoors and 50–100g/plant outdoors. A little training goes a long way with this one, allowing growers to maximise their efforts. If you're looking for reliable seeds and a relaxing smoke when all is said and done, it's got to be OGK by RQS.

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OG Kush (Royal Queen Seeds) feminized

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Parents: Chemdawg x Lemon Thai x Pakistani Kush

Genetics: 75% Indica / 25% Sativa

Flowering Time: 8-9 weeks

THC: 19%

CBD: High

Flowering Type: Photoperiod

Original Auto OG Kush (FastBuds)

Another one of our favourite OG Kush variants is brought you by the genius breeders at FastBuds. With a whopping 23% THC, it delivers all the potency you’d expect from the original in a small, autoflowering, and easy-to-grow package. Growing to about 110cm tall and taking just over 60 days to go from seed to harvest, FastBuds’ Original Auto OG Kush will impress even the strictest and most demanding grower.

It also boasts that complex aroma of earthy and citrusy pine that made the original OG Kush so famous, and its effects are just as balanced, starting off with an uplifting cerebral buzz and slowly shifting into deep physical relaxation. If you’re looking for a fast, easy, and automatic take on the classic OG, you’ve just found it.

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Original Auto OG Kush (FastBuds) feminized

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Parents: OG Kush Autoflowering

Genetics: 80% Indica / 20% Sativa

Flowering Time: 9-10 weeks from seed to harvest

THC: 23%

CBD: 0-1%

Flowering Type: Autoflowering

Is OG Kush Good for Beginners?

OG Kush is a classic strain that’s perfectly suited for all levels of smokers and growers. While it is potent, its effects are so perfectly balanced that they’ll work great for everyone; just take your time! Whether you’re a daily smoker, an experienced grower, or a cannabis rookie all around, make sure to give this classic, world-renowned strain a try. You won’t regret it!

Steven Voser

Steven Voser is an independent cannabis journalist with over 6 years of experience writing about all things weed; how to grow it, how best to enjoy it, and the booming industry and murky legal landscape surrounding it.

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