OG: What does it mean?

O.G. or original gangster or real OG or triple OG [oh-jee] or [uh-rij-uh-nl gang-ster]

The mobsters, bootleggers and gangsters of the 1920’s and 30’s, such as Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, and Bugs Moran. Anyone who claims otherwise are lying out their.

OG is a slang term for someone who’s incredibly exceptional, authentic, or “old-school.” It can be earnestly used for a legend like Michael Jordan or more ironically, like for that friend who can unwrap a Starburst with their mouth.

When it comes to cannabis strains, names really do matter. Some strains are named after their visible characteristics (White Widow, for example) while others are named after their creators—like “Bubba” of Bubba Kush fame. Most importantly, a large number of strains give some insight into their lineage and genetics. For example, Sour OG is the result of crossbreeding Sour Diesel and OG Kush. The term “OG” finds its way into many of the options you will see on dispensary shelves, but what does OG mean when talking about weed strains? The origins of the term are unconfirmed and hotly debated. Let’s take a look at a few of the theories for how OG ended up with the name.

The OG origin story

Now that we know what to expect from consuming this uber popular strain, let’s dig into its weed culture nomenclature — and there are a lot of theories. Some say it’s an acronym for “ocean grown,” “original gangster,” or a shortened version of the word “original.” 

To know what OG means, you need to know the names of two cannabis growing forefathers who first became friends and roommates in Los Angeles in the early 1990s: Matt “Bubba” Berger, who currently works as a consultant and dispensary owner in Denver’s legal cannabis market, and Josh Del Rosso aka Josh D, Founder and Managing Director of Josh D Farms. 

In Berger’s telling, he cultivated the strain in Florida from a random bag of flower he got from a friend in 1992. Another friend, impressed by the strain’s frosty colas, said the buds resembled “kushberries,” which was then shortened to “kush.” In 1996, Berger returned to LA with his kush seeds, and he and Del Rosso planted Kush, Bubba (another of Berger’s strains), and Purple Indica in the crawl space of a rental house they shared. 

Word of Del Rosso and Berger’s Kush strain took off and demand soared, reaching $8,000 a pound in the late 90s — that’s around $13,400 in today’s dollars. But with success came imitators hoping to cash in on the Kush phenomena. Del Rosso and Berger added “OG” to their original Kush to distinguish it from all the others, which stands for “original.” Adding one more layer of confusion, Berger and Del Rosso’s Kush is totally separate and unrelated to landrace kush, an indica that originated in Afghanistan. 

OG Kush was hugely popular with 90s consumers, largely for its inclusion in hip hop culture in Los Angeles. It’s been said it was a favorite of super star pot celebrity Snoop Dogg and rapper B-Real of the West Coast hip-hop group Cypress Hill (who later released an album titled Greatest Hits from the Bong in 2005). 

So….

What Does OG Mean?

The stigma and legal implications surrounding cannabis make it difficult to find verified information on the history of many strains. Much of what we think we know is based on rumor and hearsay, including the origin story of the term “OG.” While much of this famous moniker is shrouded in mystery, there are three major and several lesser-known theories regarding the meaning of OG when it comes to cannabis.

Although “OG ” used to mean “original gangster,” current social media norms dictate that someone who is an “OG” is an original, iconic representative of a specific specialization or achievement. It can be taken to mean “the original,” in short.

The term “original gangster” is said to have come about in the 1970s. During this time, a Los Angeles street gang known as the crips was quickly expanding. Those who were called “OG” were some of the founding, or “original,” members. As a result, they were called the “original gangsters” or “OGs.”

While the term “gangster” is used in this context, the way it is currently used has little to do with actual gangsters, street gangs, or organized crime.

Now, many use it in general speech or in on-line communication to show that someone is an authority on something or has exceptional skill in a certain area.

As hip-hop and rap music began their mainstream ascent in the 80s, the term OG began to shift from gang culture to rap music and videos when artists sometimes referred to exceptionally badass aspects of gang culture as OG. Rapper and actor Ice-T may be most responsible for bringing the term to a wider audience with his album and single of the same name, “O.G. Original Gangster,” which reached #7 on 1991’s Billboard rap chart. The could be what inspired Del Rosso and Berger, but that’s impossible to know for sure. 

Eventually, the term seeped into establishment culture and continued to expand its meaning. Today you see it everywhere as a reference to something or someone that has exceptionally impressive skills, exemplifies a particular quality, or is the first of its kind. 

Where can to find OG strains?

Though OG Kush has been around since the early 90s, its contribution to cannabis is influential, ongoing, and shows no signs of stopping. It’s nearly on every dispensary and delivery menu. Known as a building block strain because of its outstanding genetics, potency, flavor, and aroma, OG Kush is frequently used in successful cross breedings that have propagated many well-known strains.  

GSC

GSC is a relatively new strain that has a huge influence on cannabis culture — just as OG Kush did in its early days. Rapper Berner started the Cookies company after GSC exploded in California dispensaries. Today, GSC hybrids can be found all over the world.

Tahoe OG 

This super strong strain is considered to be the most notable OG Kush phenotype because it was crossbred from the seeds of the parent strain.

SFV OG

A well-known phenotype of OG Kush and an unknown Afghani strain, SFV OG is known for its uber-potent effects.

Bubba Kush 

This indica-dominant powerhouse is a cross between OG Kush and Northern Lights. It was a complete accident by Berger whose strains cross-pollinated in his garden and bore Bubba Kush.  

Fire OG

A sativa-dominant hybrid made from OG Kush and SFV OG, Fire OG is mentally uplifting and physically relaxing.

True OG

The True OG creators repeatedly backcrossed OG plants until they developed this indica-dominant hybrid with creative and sleepy effects.

Glueberry OG

From the breeders at Dutch Passion, this award-winning strain is a blend of Blueberry, Gorilla Glue (GG), and OG Kush. A fruit forward aroma and high THC is perfect for steady consumers.

Alpha OG (aka Alpha Medic OG)

Developed by Alpha Medic in San Diego, Alpha OG is heavy OG Kush phenotype with a tasty flavor, featuring notes of pineapple and honey.

When to Use the Term “OG”

You can use “OG” when you mean “the original” of a specific area. Keep in mind that as with most slang, “OG” should typically only be used in informal settings. It’s a fairly common term, so most people who speak English natively or spend a lot of time on websites that use a lot of English slang will understand what you mean when you say “OG.”