How Did OG Kush Get Its Name?

By Jeff Eckenrode

Quick Answer: OG Kush's name is shrouded in West Coast legend — "OG" means "Original Gangster," "Ocean Grown," or "Original Grower" depending on who you ask. Bred in Florida from Chemdawg and Hindu Kush, then popularized in LA in the 1990s, OG Kush became cannabis royalty thanks to its earthy-piney aroma, potent euphoric high, and hip-hop fame!

The One, The Only: OG Kush

OG Kush might be one of the most iconic names in cannabis. Popularized by legendary rappers like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, OG Kush has become as synonymous with cannabis as Kleenex is with facial tissues.

But where exactly did its name come from?

Like many strains with devoted followings, the origins of OG Kush are a little hazy, clouded by decades of underground breeding, West Coast mythology, and hip-hop shoutouts.

There are a few stories worth passing around. Some are fact. Some are folklore. All of them, however, are pure fire.

When did OG Kush become popular?

OG Kush first caught popular attention in Southern California in the mid-1990s, where it quickly became a favorite among growers and smokers alike for its complex aroma, high potency, and uniquely balanced effects.

It was earthy, piney, slightly citrusy. It also delivered a euphoric body high that made it perfect for winding down while still keeping a clear head.

But even before it blew up in L.A., the genetics behind OG Kush were making moves on the opposite coast.

Where did OG Kush come from?

The most accepted origin story traces OG Kush back to Florida.

In the early '90s, a cannabis grower known as "Bubba" cultivated a strain called “Kush” in the Sunshine State. It’s possible that what he was cultivating was a hybrid of Chemdawg and a Hindu Kush phenotype.

Bubba then moved to Los Angeles, bringing cuts of his prized strain along with him. There, it was crossed again (likely with a Northern California strain), and the result was what we now know as OG Kush.

Once it landed in southern California, OG Kush spread far and wide. The word got out fast, and so did the confusion about what “OG” actually meant.

What Does “OG” Stand For?

Here’s where things get interesting. Ask ten people what OG means and you’ll probably get ten different answers. A few of the most popular answers include:

Original Gangster: This is the version most people know, thanks in part to '90s hip-hop culture. Rap icons like Cypress Hill and Snoop Dogg helped solidify this interpretation by referencing OG Kush in their lyrics, tying the strain to the street-savvy, West Coast lifestyle.

Ocean Grown: Another camp claims that “OG” stands for “Ocean Grown.” According to this version, someone once commented that the bud tasted like it came from the mountains, to which the grower replied, “Nah, this is ocean grown.” The name stuck—especially fitting for a strain that became a legend in coastal California.

Original Grower: Some say the OG moniker is simply a nod to the original cultivators who brought the strain to market, paying homage to the old-school heads who helped shape cannabis history.

Which one is true? It’s hard to say.

But like most things in cannabis culture, the name means different things to different people. Perhaps that’s exactly the point.

Does OG Kush still exist today?

Luckily, it does! In fact, OG Kush remains one of the most popular and sought after strains by cannabis connoisseurs and newcomers alike.

And no matter how it got its name, OG Kush has become a pillar of modern cannabis breeding. Its genetics have been used to create dozens of popular strains, including Girl Scout Cookies, Tahoe OG, Headband, and SFV OG.

The “OG” designation now shows up in so many hybrids that it’s become its very own category.

But ask any cannabis connoisseur and they’ll tell you—there’s only one OG Kush.

Where can I find OG Kush?

Whether you’re shopping in Redmond or online, we’re here to help you find what you need, when you need it. That includes OG Kush!

We carry OG Kush in smokeable flower and vape cartridges. Click on one of our online menu below to see our current selection.

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FAQ OG Kush

What does "OG" stand for in OG Kush?

This is one of cannabis's greatest ongoing debates — and honestly, the mystery is part of what makes OG Kush so legendary! The three most popular theories are: "Original Gangster," popularized by 90s hip-hop culture and rappers like Cypress Hill, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre who name-dropped the strain; "Ocean Grown," from a story about a grower who corrected someone saying the bud tasted mountain-grown, replying "Nah, this is ocean grown"; and "Original Grower," a simpler tribute to the old-school cultivators who first brought it to market. The true answer? It probably depends on who you ask — and that ambiguity has only added to the legend.

Where did OG Kush originally come from?

OG Kush's roots trace back to Florida in the early 1990s, where a grower known as "Bubba" cultivated a strain simply called Kush — believed to be a hybrid of Chemdawg and a Hindu Kush phenotype. When Bubba relocated to Los Angeles, he brought cuts of his prized strain with him. There it was crossed again, likely with a Northern California strain, producing the OG Kush we know today. Once it landed in Southern California, it spread like wildfire through the underground cannabis community and into mainstream culture.

Is OG Kush an indica, sativa, or hybrid?

OG Kush is classified as a hybrid, leaning indica-dominant in its effects. That means you get the best of both worlds — a relaxing, euphoric body high combined with an uplifting cerebral effect that keeps your mind clear and engaged. It's the kind of strain that melts away tension without completely shutting you down, making it popular for winding down in the evening while still being able to hold a conversation, watch a movie, or engage in creative pursuits. The balance is a big part of why it's remained so universally loved.

What does OG Kush smell and taste like?

OG Kush has one of the most recognizable aroma profiles in cannabis — earthy, piney, and woody with unmistakable hints of citrus and a subtle spicy undertone. The terpene profile is dominated by myrcene, limonene, and caryophyllene, which together create that classic "kushy" scent that serious cannabis enthusiasts can identify in seconds. On the inhale it's smooth and herbal; on the exhale that earthy, slightly lemony complexity lingers. It's a flavor profile that's been imitated endlessly in hybrid breeding but rarely truly replicated.

What strains did OG Kush give rise to?

OG Kush's genetic legacy is staggering — it may be the single most influential strain in modern cannabis breeding history. Its genetics have been used to create dozens of iconic offspring strains including Girl Scout Cookies, Tahoe OG, Headband, SFV OG, and many more. The "OG" designation has become its own category in the cannabis world, with hundreds of strains carrying the OG name. Despite all of that, cannabis connoisseurs will tell you the original OG Kush remains in a class entirely its own.

How did hip-hop culture shape OG Kush's fame?

Enormously! Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Cypress Hill were all known OG Kush enthusiasts, and their lyrics and public cannabis use in the 1990s helped turn a West Coast underground favorite into a globally recognized strain name. Hip-hop and cannabis culture have always been deeply intertwined, and OG Kush was right at the center of that relationship during one of its most influential eras. By the time legal cannabis markets started opening, OG Kush was already a household name among millions of consumers who'd never even seen a dispensary.

Want to learn more about classic cannabis strains and modern hybrid genetics?

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