OG Kush
OG Kush is one of the most influential cannabis strains of the modern era. Emerging in the mid‑1990s, it helped define the West Coast style of cannabis with its dense buds, fuel‑pine aroma, and powerful, relaxing effects. More than a single strain, OG Kush became a genetic foundation that shaped countless hybrids and an entire naming convention that still dominates menus today.
Genetics & Lineage
OG Kush’s lineage reflects a meeting of two major genetic worlds. The Chemdawg side contributed raw potency and sharp fuel notes, while the Lemon Thai × Hindu Kush background added citrus brightness and deep indica structure. Together, these influences produced a plant that was compact, resin‑heavy, and unusually strong for its time.
While details of OG Kush’s exact origin remain debated, there is broad agreement that it arose in the U.S. during the 1990s and spread primarily as a clone‑only cut. This exclusivity helped preserve its characteristics and contributed to its mystique.
Effects & Characteristics
OG Kush is best known for its intense euphoric onset followed by heavy physical relaxation. Mentally, it can feel uplifting and mood‑enhancing at first, before settling into a calming, sometimes sedating body effect.
Its aroma profile — often described as fuel, pine, citrus, and earth — became a template for what many users now associate with “gas” strains. In the 1990s, this combination of flavour and strength set OG Kush apart from earlier hybrids.
Historical Context
OG Kush rose to prominence during the 1990s strain explosion, a period when hybrid potency and regional genetics pushed cannabis into the mainstream. It became a cornerstone of West Coast cannabis culture and later influenced breeding during the medical cannabis expansion of the 2000s, when consistency and strength were in high demand.
Through this period, OG Kush spawned numerous offshoots and phenotypes — including SFV OG, Tahoe OG, and Ghost OG — cementing “OG” as both a genetic marker and a cultural label.
Why This Strain Still Matters
Decades after its emergence, OG Kush remains relevant because of its genetic reach. Many modern favourites — from dessert strains to heavy indicas — trace some part of their lineage back to OG Kush. Its flavour profile still defines expectations, and its structure continues to influence breeding decisions.
OG Kush is not just a classic strain; it is a genetic engine that links the legendary hybrids of the 1990s to the flavour‑driven cannabis of today.