OG Kush stands among the most influential modern cannabis cultivars—a cornerstone of both indica and hybrid breeding. Its origin remains part science, part legend, tracing to Florida in the early 1990s before moving west to California. What began as an underground clone became the foundation for thousands of strains, defining the “gas” era of cannabis.

Base Genetics

The most accepted lore describes OG Kush as a cross between Hindu Kush (a landrace indica from Afghanistan) and an unverified “Emerald Triangle hybrid” pollinated in Boca Raton’s “4/3/2 house.” This Florida-to-California lineage was reportedly carried west by Bubba and Josh D, giving rise to the earliest OG clones.

OG Kush’s parentage reflects hybrid vigor: Hindu Kush contributed structure and resin, while the mysterious Emerald Triangle plant added aroma and potency.

Major OG Phenotypes and Classic Cuts

Over time, OG Kush stabilized through dozens of clone lines—each with distinct expression and regional identity. Notable phenotypes include Triangle Kush, SFV OG, Ghost OG, Tahoe OG, Fire OG, True OG, Legend OG, Larry OG (Lemon Larry), Skywalker OG, Josh D OG, King Louis XIII, Platinum OG, Hollywood Pure Kush (HPK), Hell’s Angel OG, Abusive OG, ’92 OG, and Raskal’s OG.

Growers and breeders such as ORGNKID distributed verified OG clones and S1 seed lines, spreading the genetics globally. Countless local variants—City OG, Warehouse OG, and others—cemented OG as a household name across California menus.

Kush and OG Derivatives

OG’s impact radiated across landrace and early hybrid lines, influencing classic varieties like Master Kush, Bubba Kush (and its Pre-’98 and Katsu cuts), LA Kush, and Kosher Kush. Regional variants such as Lemon OG, Platinum OG, Valley OG, and Poison OG built diverse terpene expressions, while crosses with GDP yielded God’s Gift and similar hybrids.

These descendants reinforced OG’s dominance in gas-forward, sedative, and resin-rich breeding programs.

Notable OG Hybrids

OG Kush’s hybridization defined the next generation of genetics. Key crosses include Ghost Train Haze (Ghost OG × Neville’s Wreck), Bruce Banner (OG Kush × Strawberry Diesel), Headband (OG × Sour Diesel), and Motorbreath (Chem D × SFV OG). WiFi OG (Fire OG × The White) and Holy Grail Kush (Kosher Kush × OG #18) became staples of competition circuits.

Each hybrid carried OG’s dense structure, heavy fuel aroma, and high potency into new terpene expressions and effects.

Mint, Cookie, and Dessert Lines Carrying OG DNA

OG’s lineage infused into dessert-style hybrids like OGKB, Do-Si-Dos, Animal Mints, Triangle Mints, and Wedding Cake. The Cookies family—including Gelato, Biscotti, and Runtz—traces part of its potency and structure to OG ancestry. Even modern mint-forward lines such as Kush Mints and Platinum Cookies owe their density and “gas” profile to OG Kush genetics.

Regional Expansions: SFV, Tahoe, and Triangle OG

Regional cultivators refined OG expressions into subfamilies. SFV OG (via Cali Connection and Swerve) defined Southern California’s gas-forward market, while Tahoe and Triangle OG stabilized in different microclimates. These clones influenced countless hybrids, from LA Kush Cake to SFV crosses, each adapting OG’s chemistry to local growing conditions.

Fruity and Colored OG Variants

Crossbreeding extended OG’s influence into fruit-forward cultivars like Banana Kush, Mango Kush, Blueberry Kush, Blackberry Kush, and Peach Kush. Strains such as Grapefruit OG and Cherry Kush diversified terpene profiles, while colored phenos like Kush Berry or Blue Kush Berry bridged OG’s potency with vibrant, dessert-inspired appeal.

Crossover and Modern Polyhybrids

In the modern era, OG’s DNA runs through Critical Kush, Chem Valley Kush, Platinum Kush Mints, Sherb OG, Zkittlez OG, Gelonade OG, Gary Payton OG, and beyond. Each carries the defining “OG gas” backbone, merged with new terpenes like citrus, fruit, or candy. The evolution of OG continues across global seedbanks and brands, inspiring new generations of “OG” names in every market.

Totals

The OG Kush family has produced over 800 documented descendants, including countless local clone lines, S1s, and regional seed variants. Bubba Kush alone has spawned more than 300 offshoots, while SFV, Tahoe, and Triangle OG cuts each hold over 100 documented variations. OG remains one of the most prolific and culturally defining cannabis lineages in modern history.

YOUTUBE VIDEO

— Nugg Notes

Sources:

• Danko, Danny. “The Story of Kush.” High Times, 6 Oct. 2016. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025. 

• Bobrow, Warren. “Josh Del Rosso, Founder and Managing Director of Josh D Farms.” Forbes, 21 Dec. 2018. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025. 

• SFV OG Kush. The Cali Connection. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025. 

• Tahoe OG Kush. The Cali Connection. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025. 

• “Ghost OG: Why Colorado Tokers Love This Strain.” Westword, 10 Oct. 2018. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025. 

• “White Fire (OG Raskal Genetics) :: Cannabis Strain Info.” SeedFinder.eu. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025. 

• “Bruce Banner — Genealogy.” SeedFinder.eu. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025. 

• “Holy Grail Kush Cannabis Strain.” DNA Genetics, 31 Mar. 2025. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.