KUSHCO818: VALLEY GAS, CUP CRED & OG DNA
Born from a tight-knit crew of childhood friends in the San Fernando Valley, Kushco818 emerged with a foundation rooted in loyalty, consistency, and hustle. By 2015, they had established a strong presence on the High Times Cup circuit. Their Kosher Kush, in collaboration with Greenwolf Bellflower, secured 1st place in the SoCal Indica Flower category, while their Kushco OG Live Resin Batter, produced with Nature’s Lab and The W.E.E.D. Studio City, took 3rd place in Denver’s Indica Concentrate category.
The W.E.E.D. & Nature’s Lab Era
Kushco818’s early rise was closely tied to respected operators within the Valley. Running elite OG rooms, partnering with top-tier extraction talent, and consistently placing fuel-heavy entries on cup tables earned them a place among a select group of serious contenders. These alliances allowed them to refine their craft and maintain a reputation for unmatched quality.
OG House Identity
From its inception, Kushco818 built its brand on a foundation of authentic gas. Strains like Kushco OG, Sour Power OG, and Iceberg Slim became staples—hand-selected cuts with terpene profiles engineered for both flower jars and hash production. They deliberately avoided fleeting candy trends, staying loyal to raw pine, bright lemon, and pungent petrol flavor profiles.
Breeding the “Super Unleaded” Line
In the regulated market era, Kushco818 doubled down on its core strengths. They crossed Kushco OG with Sour Power OG, creating their flagship strain, Super Unleaded. This high-octane variety would go on to produce notable offspring such as Sour Unleaded, Double Down OG, and Slim Reaper. Each retained the unmistakable gassy backbone while introducing subtle modern refinements.
Shelf Presence
Kushco818 adopted a deliberate approach to retail placement. From Wellgreens Cares in San Diego County to Wheelhouse VIP in Ventura, they maintained a curated presence rather than overextending into every possible storefront. This strategy preserved their small-batch identity and reinforced the exclusivity of their product.
OG Heavyweight Champions
From 2019 through 2022, Kushco818 dominated the Hitman of Competition SoCal, taking 1st place for Best OG Flower with their Kushco OG year after year. This consistent performance cemented their reputation as a powerhouse in OG genetics.
Award Wins in 2023
In 2023, Kushco818 captured Zalympix’s “Gassiest Flower” title with their Sour Power OG, bred by Karma Genetics, who also provided the original seeds—an introduction facilitated by the OG JG Crew. That same year, they won 1st place for Best OG Live Flower at Nothing But Fire, and took 2nd place in the Judges’ Panel for Best OG Flower with Iceberg Slim, bred by Dungeons Vault Gardens.
Legacy Carried Forward
Nearly two decades after the name first appeared, Kushco818 remains a brand synonymous with award-winning OG lineage, Valley-bred dedication, and a steadfast commitment to fuel-forward cannabis. They have resisted shifting trends, ensuring that their offerings stay true to the same terpene-rich, high-octane identity they built their reputation on.
High octane, Valley made.
Kushco818 stands as a case study in how consistency, community ties, and selective retail strategy can preserve brand identity in a shifting market. Their refusal to chase flavor-of-the-month genetics has reinforced their authenticity, while strategic alliances and competitive success continue to sustain their relevance nearly 20 years in.
YOUTUBE VIDEO
- Nugg Notes
sources:
@kushco818. “– zalympix – gassiest flower – sour power og – …” Instagram, 18 June 2023. 
• @kushco818. “@nothing.but.fire 2.0 1st place best og live flower… it was iceberg slim… bred by @dungeons_vault_gardens.” Instagram, Sept. 2023. 
• “nbf 2023 winners.” Nothing But Fire, 9 Sept. 2023, nothingbutfirela.com. 
• “2015 high times socal medical cannabis cup: top 10 award winners.” CannabisCup.com, 18 Feb. 2015. 
• “the 2015 socal cannabis cup winners.” Leafly, 10 Feb. 2015. 
• “winners of the 2015 high times u.s. cannabis cup denver.” CannabisCup.com, 20 Apr. 2015. 
• “the 2015 denver cannabis cup winners.” Leafly, 22 Apr. 2015. (lists “kush company og live resin batter… with nature’s lab & the w.e.e.d. studio city.”) 
• Grimes, Michael. “710 day: ten great ways… (includes denver 2015 winners).” Westword, 9 July 2015. 
• “denver cannabis cup winners (past winners).” CannabisCup.com. 
• “kush co: sour power og 3.5g.” Wheelhouse Port Hueneme (menu page). 
• “kush co: iceberg slim 7g pops.” Wheelhouse Port Hueneme (menu page). 
• “kushco – sour unleaded (hybrid) flower 3.5g.” Wellgreens Vista (menu page). 
• Kush Company official site (strain lineup; super unleaded lineage). kushcompanycannabis.com. 
• “sour unleaded – kushcompany.” Weedmaps (product page; super unleaded lineage tie-in). 
• “kushco og kush… winner of 1st place og kush flower at 2019 hitman og competition.” Instagram (award reference). 
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