When we think of Kush, it’s common to think of a harsh smoke that really deadens the senses. This is because Kush is a pure indica strain. OG Kush, on the other hand, produces the exact opposite effect. It is able to provide you with an immediate boost of energy that makes it perfect for social engagements. It’s certainly not ideal if you are trying to get to sleep. The reason for all this is because of the increased incidence of THC on the plant. Although it is an indica-dominant hybrid, the amount of THC negates a lot of the heavy effects you’d associate with traditional Kush varieties. The distinct citrusy, sour tastes and aromas work delightfully in concert with your improved mood and energy level. This strain has gained an almost mythical status as the foundation of West Coast genetics. Hippie folklore marks the arrival of superior Afghan seeds from the Hindu Kush region into the hands of California’s growers as the beginning of a marked transformation in the quality of homegrown marijuana. This sea change in domestic cannabis cultivation reveals itself even today in the predominance of Kush traits found among many of the world’s most popular pot varieties. Kush offspring include a number of HIGH TIMES Cannabis Cup winners and HT Strains of the Year.
The two most plausible stories about OG Kush's genetics both link it to the legendary Chemdawg, whose own origins are murky, but which is generally agreed to be a Sativa-dominant hybrid. Some say that OG Kush is the result of Chemdawg crossed with a hybrid of Lemon Thai and Pakistani Kush, while others insist that it is simply a phenotype of Chemdawg. Whether it actually contains only a small percentage of Kush ancestry or none at all, OG Kush is something of a misnomer. Real OG Kush is available as a clone only, but the easily marketable name is frequently applied to similar or not-so-similar seeds and strains.
Though the exact genetics of OG Kush are not known, many people agree that OG stands for Ocean Grown because of its origins in southern California. Previous speculations on the meaning of OG include it being a memorial to OverGrown.com or that it stood for Original Gangster, another cannabis strain from San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles.
Most people agree that it is derived from the Chemdawg strain. Some believe a female Chemdawg was crossed with a male that was a mix of Lemon Thai and Old World Pakistani Kush. Others say that OG Kush is just a cutting from Chemdawg from the nineties.
There are a lot of common misconceptions surrounding OG Kush, most notably the confusion where the strain comes from and what specific genetics OG Kush consists of. There are many mysterious legends about OG Kush and what ‘OG’ stands for, however… the truth remains unproven to this day.
One of the most promising accounts explaining the origins of the OG Kush strain is below:
Kailua Kid from the Sierra Seed Company believes that in late 93’ a grower in northern California got his hands on the famous Chemdawg strain. He goes on to say (summarized from Seedfinder.eu), that this was shared with a fellow grower from Sunset Beach who claimed he had a male that was the, “secret ingredient,” for breeding. The male was a cross of Lemon Thai and an Old World Paki Kush (possibly where the ‘Kush’ came from), and was an ideal mix for the Chemdawg. The buds became wildly popular in Los Angeles by ’95.
We also came across a number of other (less-likely) theories about the origins of OG Kush and try to explain what ‘OG’ stands for. Some people believe that the ‘OG’ is a memorial to OverGrown.com, which was the world’s largest cannabis grow site until 2006 when they were shut down by the Canadian police for, “illegally distributing seeds.” Others believe that ‘OG’ stands for, “Original Gangster,” which was a strain from the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles. It is thought that this is the plant that produced the OG’s that became so famous in southern California, putting the area on the medical marijuana map.
OG Kush is a true legend in the world of cannabis. There are several stories surrounding its history, genetics, and even what the “OG” stands for and, to further muddy the waters, there are countless imposters claiming to be the genuine item. Real OG Kush is difficult to grow and known for low yields when in the hands of novice growers but when done well the result is truly a unique and memorable experience. Although the list of conditions users to turn to OG Kush to relieve is long, this is not a strain for beginners.
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