When it comes to cannabis, the origins of the abbreviation “OG” are surprisingly nuanced and contentious for an abbreviation of only two letters.
Is there any reason for you to give OG any thought at all? Learning more about OG strains isn’t just beneficial for satisfying your own curiosity, though; it can also guide you toward the best cannabis products for your specific needs. After all, you know there’s a wide variety of strains available when you visit a dispensary or shop for supplies online.
Some products may be labeled “OG,” and if you’re curious about what this means and how it might affect your next dispensary purchase, you’ve come to the right place.
Defining “OG”
To what extent this is true, however, varies greatly depending on whom you ask. There are various accounts of where the OG acronym came from and why it was eventually added to the names of cannabis strains. We’ll give you a quick summary of the most prominent OG-meaning hypotheses.
Why Hip-Hop Matters
It wasn’t until popular rap songs of the ’80s that the term “OG” was widely known by the general public. One who is truly one of a kind is referred to as an OG (or “original gangster”) in hip-hop. In this setting, an OG is someone who has changed the game in some way.
Being an original, or OG, meant you were the first of your kind, and that certainly applied to the cannabis strain known as OG Kush.
Original Gold Kush
It all started in the 1990s, when two Los Angeles cannabis farmers, Matt “Bubba” Berger and Josh Del Rosso, became fast friends.
Using a haphazard bag of seeds he got from a friend, Berger grew a strain of marijuana in Florida. One of his companions remarked that the buds resembled “kushberries” after he had given them some. The name “kushberry” was shortened to “kush” after Berger’s return to Los Angeles with the seeds. A trio of kush, hashish, and Del Rosso’s own seeds were planted. They gained a devoted fanbase and even some imitators for their strain. They appended “OG” to the name of their product to guarantee that buyers knew they were getting the genuine article: the original kush. In this case, the term “origin” was simply shortened.
Are we done here? Okay, maybe not. There are many possible beginnings, but that’s one…
Ocean Grown
Although the term doesn’t make much sense at first glance—after all, cannabis isn’t seaweed—some people think that the OG term means “ocean grown.” One could argue that this means the plant is grown on the California coast, where the gentle sway of the sea is ideal for its development.
Is this it? Does “OG” refer to “ocean grown,” “original gangster,” or “original” in the cannabis industry? While some experts may be interested in the specifics, the majority of experts tend to ignore them. The OG abbreviation reassures consumers that at least one of the strains used to produce their favorite product is descended from the OG family, the first of its kind.
If you want the real deal, you gotta find the OG label.
The term “OG” (Original Gangsta) is widely recognized as a significant designation in the cannabis industry, whether for recreational or medical use. It could come first or last in the name of a strain.
OG Banana. OG Larry. Burning OG. Original Trilogy Skywalker. That old timer in Tahoe. These are just a few of the many OG varieties available for medical and recreational use.
The OG family of strains is well-known for its strong effects, unique history, and herbal/earthy flavor profile.
Old-School Original Pioneer
Expert cannabis consumers know that OG Kush is the patriarch of the original strains. The OG Kush plant is the progenitor of many other OG strains, so it stands to reason that it would be revered as a dynastic patriarch.
The aroma of all OG Kush strains and their offspring is instantly recognizable as a mixture of woody undertones, sour lemon, and earthy pine.
Results From Smoking OG Kush
While the origins of OG Kush and its name continue to be hotly contested, there is much less disagreement about the strength of this popular strain. The average THC percentage for OG Kush is in the high twenties to low twenty-fifties.
In most cases, the effects of OG Kush are more cerebral than physical. People who try this variety often report feeling more alert and concentrated afterward. In most cases, this is followed by a surge of happiness. As a result of the synergistic effects it produces, OG Kush is frequently used in group situations.