OG Kush
She’s a marvel. If you’re just here for the important stuff, check out the summary below.
Lineage: NorCal bagseed X Chemdawg X Lemon Thai X Amsterdam Hindu Kush
Classification: Hybrid
Potency: 18-23% THC
Top Terps: Myrcene, Limonene, Caryophyllene
Scent/flavor: Pungent, earthy, sweet and sour
Effects: Euphoric, Mellow, Hungry
Uses: Stress, anxiety, nausea
Side effects: Cottonmouth, dry eyes, paranoia
Overall rating: 5/5, an OG for a reason.
When I start talking about OG Kush, I get frustrated because it’s like the Nick Cannon of strains. It’s fathered so many children that it makes you wonder. Do you think you found an original strain? WRONG— OG Kush is in there somewhere down the line, I promise. That family tree is a stick.
OG Kush helped make some of the most popular strains in the world, including Gorilla Glue #4, Headband, and Girl Scout Cookies. Not to mention, there are a ton of OG Kush phenotypes out there that you’ve probably sampled, including Tahoe OG and SFV OG. Most West Coast strains trace back to OG Kush even today.
And you can tell. Something about the OG Kush family brings out that dominating unique flavor profile, which can only be described as that classic kushy funk. Those caryophyllene terps tend to come out on top, making it sour, funky, and spicy—but I love it.
There’s a reason OG Kush is mixed with everything. It’s delicious, and it feels great. Its offspring and phenos do too. For old time’s sake, I figured I’d review this one, too. It’s everywhere, so it’s easily accessible, but more importantly, understanding OG Kush will help you get a good impression of any of the strains that stem from it. Everybody wins.
The Essentials
OG Kush is a staple that goes by a few simple names. It might be reduced simply to OGK, or go by Premium OG Kush. It has kind of a mysterious origin story since we’re not totally sure what it’s made with. Still, evidence suggests it is a hodgepodge of different strains, including an unknown strain from northern California. That unknown strain is said to have been crossed with Chemdawg and Lemon Thai before finally being crossed with a Hindu Kush plant from Amsterdam.
It’s said to have been bred and kept in Florida until 1996 when Bubba Berger brought it to Los Angeles and shared it with the famous Josh D, who helped it reach stardom. OG Kush is one of those homegrown legends born at the height of prohibition, so it’s a marvel that it’s still circulating, but it’s not surprising.
The real issue is authenticity. As we’ve mentioned, OG Kush has one of those names you just trust, so there could be a few counterfeits out there— especially if the Seedfinder database is any indication. There are about 30 strains called OG Kush made with different parent strains, so it can be a little up in the air if you’re getting the real thing.
But the real stuff is pretty obvious between its smell, looks, and effects. OG Kush is so balanced that it’s no wonder everything benefits from its genes. While the real stuff is more or less a 50/50 hybrid, it has sativa-leaning effects thanks to the myrcene and limonene terps that offset the sleepy effects of caryophyllene. That said, it’s a good choice for any time of day, which is why it’s such a staple in medical dispensaries.
As a classic cut, it’s average in potency, too. The bag I picked up this morning was 22% THC, but you can find great OG Kush as low as 18% and as high as 23%
Looks
OG Kush may be sativa-leaning, but she still grows pretty stout and compact. The flowers in my baggie are fat, dense and round, and coated in a healthy helping of THC-laden trichomes. Each bud ranges in shades of dark olive to forest green, with ample golden hues contrasting beautifully with the fiery orange pistils peppered throughout. As always, it looks great. This dispensary did a great job drying the flowers, too. No compression or shake at the bottom.
Smell
I think the most intriguing thing about OGK is its unique aroma. Every strain that comes from OG Kush or is related to it has the unique kush aroma these buds emanate. It’s pungent and earthy, like wet wood with a sour, skunky tinge. It’s also spicy and herbal, though when you grind it up, you’ll be hit with tart citrus notes and a fresh pine scent. The overall impression is dank and kush. It’s kinda hard to explain, but it’s interesting, to say the least.
Flavor
The flavor is just as nuanced as the aroma, with a few key differences. For starters, the inhale is a lot smoother than I expected, given the spicy scent. However, the smoke is rich and spicy, so it will make you cough for sure— I don’t care how tough you are. The aftertaste is sour and earthy, with those citrusy tones and refreshing pine flavors shining through. I don’t know how it does it, but it’s a very warm, rich flavor.
Effects
OG Kush is one of my favorite strains for its near-instant happiness-amplifying effects. It’s a quick, bright euphoria that doesn’t feel too intense one way or the other. It doesn’t give me sativa anxiety or indica couch lock, but instead, it offers something bright and beautiful somewhere in between. It’s a great choice in the morning as a jumpstart to your day, leaving you feeling outgoing, chatty, and giggly.
Alternatively, at nighttime, it’s perfect for relaxing with its soothing mental lift and relaxing body buzz. Whenever you take it, this one will make you hungry after about 45 minutes. Even on days when my stomach is upset, I keep OG Kush packed and ready to go to wick away nausea and boost my appetite. It helps when I feel too stressed or anxious to eat or relax.
Where to find it
OG Kush is extremely common, and you can find it (or at least one of its descendants) in pretty much any dispensary. I got this bag up the street, and I have to say, I’m impressed with how these buds look, taste, and feel. They did a great job.
The Recap
At the end of the day, OG Kush is a great strain to have on hand any time for its potent effects and strong therapeutic potential. Between its incredible scents and flavors and balanced potency, it’s no wonder the strain has been used as a cross in so many other uber-popular strains.
