One of our favorite parts of shopping at our local dispensary is looking through the various strain names for some new or old favorites (strains like GSC, Pineapple Express, etc.) We’ve noticed that, no matter what else is popular at the time, strains with OG in the name are always on the shelf. No surprise there: OG is one of the most popular terms in cannabis culture. But it’s also a term with one of the murkiest origins. In this article, we'll explore the term OG and shine a light on the origins of the crown jewel of the OG variety, OG Kush.
The Original OG
So, what was the original OG strain (or the OG OG strain, if you would)? Compelling evidence suggests that the original OG strain was cultivated near Florida over 30 years ago. This classic strain resulted from a collaboration between two cannabis-growing forefathers, Matt “Bubba” Berger and Josh Del Rosso, who first became friends and roommates in Los Angeles in the 1990s.
Berger first cultivated the strain in Florida from a random bag of flower he got from a friend in 1992. As Berger tells it, a friend who had smoked his bud said it reminded him of "kushberries." This was soon shortened to "Kush." In 1996, Berger brought his Kush seeds back to LA, and he and Del Rosso planted Kush, Bubba (another of Berger's strains), and Purple Indica in the crawl space of a rental house they shared. The buds produced from these plants would go on to influence some of the most popular strains in the world.
As the popularity of their Kush strain took off in the late 1990s, demand for it skyrocketed, reaching prices of $8,000 a pound. However, with this newfound success came imitation strains attempting to capitalize on the hype. To set their original Kush apart from all the others, Berger and Del Rosso added "OG" to the name, likely to label it as the "Original.”
OG Kush is known to have a piney and earthy flavor and typically contains dominant terpenes myrcene and caryophyllene. Because Berger cultivated this strain from a bag of random flower the actual genetics of OG Kush is murky. It's suggested that the strain is descended from a Northern California strain crossed with Chemdawg, Lemon Thai and a Hindu Kush plant.
No matter its origin, premium OG Kush has become one of the most popular strains of cannabis. It's known for its strong, pungent smell and high THC content. OG Kush is also one of the most versatile strains and serves as the parent strain for many other popular strains, like Girl Scout Cookies and Bubba Kush.
Ocean-Grown or Original Gangster?
Despite OG Kush having some clear origin points, intrigue and controversy still linger around the proper definition of OG. Because the origins of strains have primarily been by word of mouth up until recently, the true definition of OG in the cannabis world was difficult to pin down. There are two major camps regarding the true meaning of OG: those that think it is short for Ocean-Grown and those that favor the Original-Gangsta interpretation.
The “Ocean-Grown” faction says that OG cannabis strains developed from an original strand of cannabis grown outdoors, near the ocean. This might explain why OG strains are so prevalent in coastal stoner communities, such as those found in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Despite this being a plausible theory, there is little evidence to support the notion that Ocean Grown is the meaning behind the original "OG"--OG Kush.
The “Original-Gangsta” faction is undoubtedly the more widely accepted interpretation for what OG means. OG’s meaning has roots in hip-hop culture, where it’s use is prevalent–and has been for some time. OG has been used in rap songs dating back to the early 1990s, with artists like Cypress Hill and Dr. Dre using the term in their lyrics. Something is OG, in this sense, if it’s original and among the best of its kind. OG is not just a term used by rappers: it’s become a part of mainstream culture. And it’s more than likely that OG Kush original cultivators chose this designation to label it the “Original” and best of its kind.
The future of OG Cannabis
While OG strains have been around for decades, they have recently seen a resurgence in popularity in the cannabis world due in part to legalization in many states and the rise of the craft cannabis movement. As the market matures and OG strains continue to get crossed with different lineages, it's tough to say what is a true OG anymore.
The OG strains of the 1990s differ from today's OG strains. The breeding that has taken place in the past two decades, coupled with the explosion of the cannabis market, has had the consequence of watering down some genetics. OG strains now come in all shapes and sizes, many of which are less potent than the OG strains of yesterday. However, there is still a demand for OG cannabis, and breeders continue to develop new OG strains to meet that demand.
Dabstract OG Strains
At Dabstract, we are committed to the preservation of our terpene-rich strains. Every concentrate we create is a faithful replicate of the original strain and its nuances in aroma and flavor. To ensure that every batch is of the highest quality, we take great care in selecting only top-tier genetics for our products. We have become well known for offering carefully curated varieties, some derived from the famous OG Kush and some even barring the OG designation.
OG Chem
Our OG Chem comes with the boastful label of its parent OG Kush. Also known as, "Chemdawg OG", this delectable strain fully justifies its title by combining the beloved flavors of two classics: OG Kush and Chem Dawg. The diesel undertones of Chemdawg blend with the evergreen aroma of OG Kush to craft a robust skunky smell that will envelop any room it's vaped in.
Tahoe OG
Tahoe OG is another popular Dabstract strain that carries the infamous OG designation. This strain has been part of California culture since its original cultivation in the Tahoe area. As one of many phenotypes of OG Kush, it has quickly become a point of interest to cannabis connoisseurs. It stands out with its phenomenal flavor profile, delivering a herbal, earthy notes mixed with a citrusy, lemony kick. If you're searching for that unique strain to treat your taste buds and deliver something out of the ordinary – Tahoe OG is undoubtedly an excellent option for the savory smoker.
God's Gift
God's Gift is a strain worthy of the name. While this Dabstract strain doesn’t bear the OG name, it combines OG Kush with another classic strain, Granddaddy Purple, to create an incredible flavor combination. In the mid 2000's, this combination gained huge popularity in California and has captivated Budtenders ever since. Often labeled as having beautiful grape, lavender, and plum notes, there’s something truly special about God's Gift which made it an obvious all-star from early on.
As the cannabis industry grows, we will likely see more OG strains being developed and made available to consumers. So whether you're looking for an OG strain for its history or flavor, there's sure to be an OG out there that's perfect for you. Ask your budtender at your local dispensary for their recommendations on OG or OG-derived strains.
*DISCLAIMER: Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The products described herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice. UCG Inc. encourages responsible, legal cannabis use of its products and brands, including the award-winning Dabstract® brand.