OG Kush
Also known as: Ocean Grown Kush
Breeder: Accidental cross (Matt "Bubba" Berger, South Florida)
OG Kush is widely regarded as the single most influential cultivar in modern cannabis, serving as the genetic backbone for hundreds of modern hybrids including Girl Scout Cookies, Gelato, and the broader Cookies family. It originated from an accidental pollination event in South Florida around 1991 and was brought to Los Angeles in 1996, where it redefined the standard for premium cannabis with its fuel-forward, resin-heavy profile.
Lineage & Genetics
Cross: Chemdawg 91 x Lemon Thai x Hindu Kush
Chemdawg 91 traces to seeds purchased at a Grateful Dead concert in 1991. Hindu Kush is an Afghan-Pakistani landrace. Lemon Thai (if included) is a Thai landrace x Hawaiian cross. Only one cutting survived the trip from Florida to LA inside rollerblade boots, preserved by Josh D.
Lineage Dispute
Some genealogy databases catalog the cross as simply Chemdawg x Hindu Kush, omitting Lemon Thai. Most historical narratives include Lemon Thai as a contributing parent. The meaning of "OG" is also disputed — Ocean Grown, Original Gangster, or simply Original.
Terpene Profile
Myrcene — Earthy, musky; 0.4–1.2% by weight. The defining marker of a true OG profile
Beta-Caryophyllene — Peppery, spicy; 0.2–0.6%
Limonene — Citrus brightness; 0.1–0.5%
Aroma: Fuel-forward and pungent with layers of fresh lemon zest, damp pine resin, and a deep earthy/hashy undertone.
Flavor: Sour citrus on inhale with woody pine and a kushy, diesel finish on exhale.
Effects & Experience
Onset: Fast-acting cerebral euphoria within minutes.
A distinctive two-phase experience: initial cerebral euphoria with mood elevation and talkativeness, followed by progressive body relaxation that spreads from the neck down. At moderate doses it remains functional; at higher doses it tilts toward couch-lock.
Duration: 2–3 hours
Commonly Reported Uses
Growing Characteristics
Grow Tips: Notably Cal-Mag hungry. Dense bud structure makes it vulnerable to bud rot if humidity spikes above 50%. Known to throw nanners under stress. Josh D himself described it as 'not an easy plant to grow.'
History & Origin
Around 1991, Matt 'Bubba' Berger grew bag seed in South Florida from Chemdawg 91, Hindu Kush, and Lemon Thai stock. An unplanned male produced the seeds. In 1996, Berger smuggled cuttings to Los Angeles in rollerblade boots — only one survived. Josh D preserved this clone and distributed it across Southern California. By 1997 it earned perfect scores at a Bay Area competition; by 2001, wholesale prices hit $8,000/lb in LA.
Awards & Recognition
- ●2013: 1st Place — 26th High Times Cannabis Cup, Amsterdam (Rollex OG Kush)
Notable Crosses
Strains bred using OG Kush as a parent:
Want to Grow OG Kush?
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