OG Kush is one of the true legends of cannabis. It came out of the 1990s, defined the West Coast taste of “gas” and pine, and became a parent to a huge share of the strains on today’s menus, including Girl Scout Cookies and most of the “OG” strains you see everywhere. This guide covers where OG Kush comes from, what it tastes and feels like, the terpenes behind its famous smell, how strong it is, why people argue about whether it is indica or sativa, how to spot a good batch, and which OG Kush and OG-family products you can order across Canada from Leafville.
OG Kush at a glance
| Type | Hybrid; sources disagree on whether it leans indica or sativa |
|---|---|
| Commonly cited lineage | Chemdawg x Hindu Kush (other accounts add Lemon Thai or Pakistani Kush) |
| Where it comes from | Usually traced to Florida, then made famous in Los Angeles in the 1990s |
| Aroma and flavour | Fuel, pine and sour lemon over a spicy, earthy base |
| Commonly reported terpenes | Myrcene, limonene, caryophyllene (linalool in some batches) |
| Commonly reported THC | About 19% to 26% |
| Typical time of day | Afternoon or evening |
Where OG Kush comes from
The most common story is that OG Kush started in Florida in the early 1990s and then moved to Los Angeles, where it took off and became the signature strain of the California scene. Its parents are usually given as Chemdawg crossed with Hindu Kush, though some accounts add a Lemon Thai or a Pakistani Kush in the mix. Nobody has ever fully settled it, so treat any very confident origin story with caution.
The name is disputed too. Some say “OG” stands for “Ocean Grown”, others say “Original Gangster”, and plenty of people just say it means “the original”. Whatever the truth, the name stuck, and it now shows up in strains like SFV OG, Tahoe OG, Fire OG and many more. Over the years, growers selected so many different OG Kush cuts that the name now covers a family of closely related plants rather than one single clone.
What OG Kush tastes and smells like
OG Kush has a loud, recognisable smell: fuel or diesel first, then pine and sour lemon, all sitting on top of an earthy, spicy kush base. The flavour follows the nose, with citrus and pine on the inhale and a peppery, woody finish. It is the flavour profile that made “gas” a selling point in the first place, and it is still the benchmark many people use to judge other kush strains.
OG Kush terpenes
OG Kush is most commonly reported with this terpene profile, though the exact mix varies from cut to cut:
- Myrcene: earthy and musky, giving the deep kush base.
- Limonene: citrus, behind the sour lemon note OG Kush is known for.
- Caryophyllene: peppery and spicy, the source of the warm spice on the exhale.
Some lab results also show linalool or humulene in smaller amounts. The fuel smell itself is not a single terpene; it comes from the whole blend along with other aromatic compounds, which is why “gassy” strains are hard to copy exactly.
What OG Kush feels like
People usually describe OG Kush as starting with a fast, happy head high, often social and a little giggly, followed by a heavier relaxation that settles into the body. The munchies are common. At lower amounts it can feel upbeat and chatty; at higher amounts it tends to slow you down and is better suited to the evening.
Is OG Kush an upper or a downer?
It is a bit of both. The start is usually uplifting, and the second half is usually relaxing. How much you have makes the biggest difference: small amounts lean upbeat, larger amounts lean heavy. That two-sided effect is part of why it has stayed popular for so long.
Is OG Kush indica or sativa?
This is where sources disagree. OG Kush is a hybrid, and you will see it listed as indica-dominant in some places and sativa-dominant in others. The Kush parent brings indica weight, and the Chemdawg side brings a strong cerebral high. Our own OG Kush concentrates list it as a sativa-dominant hybrid, about 55% sativa and 45% indica. In practice, most people experience a mix of head and body effects, so check the product page and go by how a batch actually feels.
Why is OG Kush so strong?
Well-grown OG Kush often tests in the low to mid-twenties for THC, which is strong by any standard. Its heavy terpene profile also makes the high feel big and fast-acting. Concentrates made from OG Kush are much stronger again.
How to spot good OG Kush
- Smell: it should be loud the moment you open the jar: fuel, lemon and pine. A weak nose is the biggest warning sign.
- Look: medium, dense, lime-green buds with a heavy layer of trichomes.
- Taste: sour citrus and gas on the inhale, spice and wood on the exhale, without harshness.
OG Kush and OG-family products at Leafville
At the time of writing we carry OG Kush as concentrates, plus several close relatives in flower. Here is how they compare, based on their product pages:
| Product | Format | Type (as listed) | Listed THC | OG connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budder: OG Kush | Budder | Sativa-dominant hybrid, 55/45 | Strain listed at 20% to 26% | OG Kush itself |
| House Shatter: OG Kush | Shatter | Sativa-dominant hybrid, 55/45 | Strain listed at 20% to 26% | OG Kush itself |
| Tom Ford Bubba Kush (AAA) | Flower | Indica-dominant hybrid, 80/20 | 20% to 29% | Listed as an OG Kush x Bubba cross |
| SFV (Smalls) | Flower, smaller buds | Indica-dominant hybrid, 90/10 | 25% | SFV OG x Afghani |
| Kush Berry (AAA) | Flower | Indica | 22% | OG Kush x Blueberry |
Smalls are the smaller buds of the plant, with the same smell, taste and effects as big buds for less money. Browse more creamy concentrates in our budder section. If you are new to concentrates, our guide to marijuana wax and how to smoke it covers the basics.
Budder vs shatter: which OG Kush should you pick?
- Budder is soft and creamy, easy to scoop and usually a little more flavourful. It is a good pick for dab pens and rigs.
- Shatter is hard and glassy, easy to snap into pieces and to measure. Our House Shatter is made from AAA+ buds only and purged in a vacuum oven for at least 100 hours.
Both are much stronger than flower. Start with a very small amount and wait before going again.
First-time tips for OG Kush
If you are trying OG Kush for the first time, start with flower if you can. Its fast head high can surprise people who are used to softer strains, and flower makes it easy to stop after a puff or two. Wait ten minutes before deciding whether you want more, and have a snack nearby, since the munchies are common. If you are moving on to OG Kush budder or shatter, use a piece no bigger than a grain of rice at a low dab temperature; the flavour is better and the effect is easier to manage. As with any strain, effects vary from person to person and batch to batch.
Strains related to OG Kush
OG Kush has a huge family. Girl Scout Cookies is commonly traced to OG Kush crossed with Durban Poison. Bubba Kush, SFV OG, Tahoe OG, Alien OG and Headband all have OG Kush in their background in most accounts. If you like the fuel-and-pine flavour, almost any strain with “OG” in the name is worth a try.
How to store OG Kush
Keep flower in an airtight glass jar in a cool, dark cupboard; the loud fuel and lemon terpenes fade quickly if the jar is left open. Keep budder and shatter in their sealed containers, away from heat and light. Shatter can turn soft or sugary if it gets warm, and budder can dry out if left open. For longer concentrate storage, the fridge helps; let the container warm to room temperature before opening so moisture does not form inside.
Ordering OG Kush by mail
Leafville ships across Canada by Canada Post with tracking. Every order is vacuum sealed and sent in plain packaging, and you pay by Interac e-Transfer. We sell only to adults of legal age in their province.
FAQ
Is OG Kush a sativa or indica strain?
It is a hybrid, and sources disagree on which way it leans. Our OG Kush concentrates list it as about 55% sativa and 45% indica.
Why is OG Kush so strong?
Good OG Kush often tests in the low to mid-twenties for THC and has a heavy terpene profile, so the high feels big and fast.
Is OG Kush any good?
It is one of the most respected strains ever and a parent to many modern favourites. As always, quality depends on the grower and batch.
Is OG Kush an upper or downer?
Both. It usually starts uplifting and social, then turns relaxing. Smaller amounts lean upbeat; larger amounts lean heavy.
What does OG Kush taste like?
Fuel, pine and sour lemon over an earthy, spicy kush base.
What does OG stand for in OG Kush?
Nobody knows for sure. The most common explanations are “Ocean Grown” and “Original Gangster”, and some people simply say it means “the original”.