From Dojo to Grow Room

Born into a Shotokan karate family in Los Angeles, Kenji learned discipline long before cannabis cultivation. The dojo instilled patience, precision, and respect—values that later defined his methodical approach to growing.

Cypress Hill Connection

In the early 1990s, Kenji connected with B-Real through martial arts and music. Their friendship evolved into partnership. By 1991, Kenji was cultivating; by 1996, he was traveling to Amsterdam in pursuit of elite seeds and genetics.

Bubba Beginnings

Back in California, Kenji became part of the circle that helped ignite the Bubba Kush movement. Seeds from the OG/Bubba crew reached his hands and flowered at B-Real’s house, marking his transition from hobbyist to tastemaker.

OG Discipline

While hype strains rose and fell, Kenji remained committed to OG cultivation. Decades of refinement and smoke testing in small, trusted circles earned him respect among cultivators who understood the source.

Insane OG

What began as “Kenji Kush” evolved into Insane OG—an S1 of the original Josh D OG cut. Kenji ran the same phenotype for over twenty years, making it the flagship strain under Dr. Greenthumb’s. Insane wasn’t built on hype—it was lineage, perfected.

Dr. Greenthumb Era

As head of cultivation, Kenji translated B-Real’s vision into reality. From phenotype selection to final jarred product, his precision defined the brand. Dr. Greenthumb dispensaries earned credibility by dropping Insane strains that carried legacy authenticity into the legal era.

Culture Crossovers

From High Rollerz Jiu-Jitsu mats to major music festivals, Kenji helped expand Insane’s reach. His philosophy merged cannabis, wellness, and performance, proving the plant could thrive as both discipline and lifestyle.

Craft Cartel

Co-founded by Kenji and Arthur Isagholian, Craft Cartel was built on originality and authenticity. Its motto—“no borrowed credibility and audio matches video”—reflected a creative ethos blending design, media, and culture into curated drops that defined a lifestyle brand.

Legacy and Leadership

Kenji represents more than cultivation mastery—he embodies a bridge between worlds. From dojo roots to Cypress Hill tours, from Bubba’s rise to Insane OG’s refinement, his journey proves that true cultivation is equal parts craft, culture, and code.

YOUTUBE VIDEO

Presented by Nugg Notes

SOURCES:

Athleisure Mag. “SMOKE & ROLL | KENJI FUJISHIMA.” Athleisure Mag, 25 July 2022, https://www.athleisuremag.com/the-latest/2022/7/25/smoke-amp-roll-kenji-fujishima. 

Athleisure Mag. “BRINGING THE SMOKE WITH B-REAL.” Athleisure Mag, 18 Oct. 2021, https://www.athleisuremag.com/the-latest/2021/10/18/bringing-the-smoke-with-b-real. 

Wilson, Dan. “Bubba Kush Turns 25 Years-Old: B-Real Reminisces.” Leafly, 4 Aug. 2023, https://www.leafly.com/news/strains-products/bubba-kush-strain-anniversary-shopping. 

First Smoke of the Day. “Kenji of Dr Greenthumbs Founding Bubba Kush | FSOTD Ep. 41.” Apple Podcasts, 25 Apr. 2022, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kenji-of-dr-greenthumbs-founding-bubba-kush-fsotd-ep-41/id1570204802?i=1000558612374. 

Dr. Greenthumb’s. “Insane – Dr. Greenthumbs.” doctorgreenthumbs.com, 2025, https://doctorgreenthumbs.com/pages/insane. 

Fujishima, Kenji. “Partner at Craft Cartel, Craftco Direct.” LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenji-fujishima-204a4364. Accessed 13 Sept. 2025.