What Does OG Mean? Origins and Definitions Explored

You’ve seen it on strains, heard it talked about in dispensaries and might have even heard it in hip hop songs, but what does OG mean?

Regardless of your experience with cannabis, you might not always be on top of all the slang and jargon that the community uses to describe weed and weed products.

From live resin and rosin to dime bags and distillate, there are many things that the average weed smoker probably won’t understand, and chief among them is the true meaning behind the “OG” name for weed strains.

If you’ve ever wondered what this slang term meant and what its association with weed was, you’ve come to the right place! Today, we’re going to break down the meaning behind this esoteric weed jargon and dive into some of its potential origins and definitions!

What Does OG Mean?

Depending on where and who you ask, OG can have a lot of different meanings. Similar to how weed is often called ‘kush’ in California but ‘reefer’ in the central United States, OG can mean other things depending on the person and place. With that being said, some definitions stand out among the rest. Here are some of the most popular and well-known meanings for the slang term.

Original Gangster

The most popular understanding of what OG stands for is that it used to mean “original gangster” or “old-school gangster.” To understand why this is the case, we’ll need to take a trip down memory lane to the Los Angeles hip-hop scene in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

At the time, legendary MCs and hip hop producers such as Ice Cube, NWA and Dr.Dre dominated the scene with their sound. In the city, gang violence was reaching critical mass. As new and younger gangsters joined the scene, there was a movement for the so-called “original gangsters” to differentiate themselves from the more recent, more rowdy crowd.

Making themselves distinct from the newer group of gangsters, the community used the term OG to denote a gang culture that was more composed, for the lack of a better word.

This slang definition would stay locked within the Los Angeles community until Ice-T’s iconic rap album “Original Gangster” was released in 1991. Eventually, the slang spread down into SoCal’s hip-hop scene and was disseminated across the country.

California’s weed scene was thriving at the time, and many weed growers also happened to enjoy hip-hop. Eventually, the weed community added the “OG” slang to the name of weed grown by growers in the San Fernando Valley. According to an Amsterdam-based seed company called DNA Genetics, this group of growers belonged to Cyprus Hill, one of the most prominent groups of West Coast and 1990s hip-hop.

Ocean Grown

Another theory for OG’s meaning and origins places it again in California but in the northern part of the state.

According to regional legend, a famous cannabis grower who mastered the art of growing a landrace Afghani strain met another toker that was unaware of the grower’s reputation. 

Eventually, they became friends, and the master grower’s new companion brought out some of his weed for his new friend to sample. To the master grower’s surprise, the weed that his new friend brought out was the weed that had grown!

The toker who brought the stash, upon smelling his weed, commented that it must have been grown in the mountains since that’s where the Afghani landrace strain originated from. The grower who cultivated the plants themselves told him, “nope. That’s that ocean-grown weed.”

Rumour has it that the weed was so good that the term OG stuck and was eventually used to describe weed grown in coastal California.

Overgrown

Ocean grown and original gangster both mean OG, but they’re far from the only definitions for the term.

Back in the early ’90s, when the internet was still learning how to crawl, a website known as OverGrow.com was famous for providing advice, seeds and growing instructions for aspiring cannabis cultivators online.

At the time, OverGrow.com was the only place that weed enthusiasts and connoisseurs could visit to discuss all things cannabis. However, Canadian Police eventually shut the site down in 2006, seizing its servers, all of its seeds, and arresting its webmasters. 

Many believe that the term OG is an homage to OverGrow.com and its services over the years for the young cannabis industry.

Popular OG Strains

Whether or not OG stands for original gangster, ocean grown or overgrown, we think that everyone can agree that OG strains are some of the best around. However, the detailed history behind it remains murky.

Growers in North California argue that OG kush descends from an Afghani landrace strain that was smuggled and grown along the coast, as the regional origin story describes. At the same time, growers in Southern California state that OG kush is a hybrid strain developed and cultivated by the San Fernando Valley group of growers managed by Cyrpus HIll.

Regardless of its origins, OG kush is a classic strain in the cannabis community that led to much more amazing being developed through hybridization. Now that we understand more of its origins let’s explore some of the top OG strains you can buy online today!

OG Kush

This is the O.G original gangster strain that needs no introduction.

One of the most notable strains in North America, OG Kush embodies the epitome of Californian cannabis. It has become one of the top strains to crossbreed because of its proven quality and potency. OG Kush is a cross between Chemdawg and Hindu Kush. Chemdawg is a straight-to-the-brain hybrid, while Hindu Kush is a heavy Indica. These two strains would make OG Kush a perfect blend for any cannabis user.

Zombie OG

Heavy and sluggish, Zombie OG is an ideal strain for those suffering from conditions such as chronic pain, stress, mild to moderate cases of depression, and insomnia. Due to its strong sedative effects, this strain is best used at night when you’re not expecting to do much of anything. Smelling of earth, pine and a hint of hash, this strain lives up to its OG name.

Rockstar OG

Rockstar OG, a cross between Rockbud and Sensi Star, is a potent indica-dominant hybrid that delivers strong effects without debilitating sedation. With aromatic notes of spice and grape, this strain is a favourite medicine for those who suffer from headaches, pain, and sleep disorders. Its robust body and cerebral effects make it a popular choice for evening relaxation.

Tokers may use the earth and citrus flavours of RockStar OG to deliver potent pain and muscle spasm relief. Its euphoric effects may be used to help deal with anxiety, depression and stress. Some do find that it helps them rest easy. Others use it for migraines and nausea. Whatever your objective, this OG strain is a famous classic!

White Fire OG

White Fire OG, also known as WiFi OG, is a 60% sativa hybrid with uplifting and comfortable cerebral focused effects. This strain combines the best features of its parent strains: the sour, earthy, diesel aroma of Fire OG and the high resin production of The White that leaves the plants covered in a dusty snowfall of crystals.

Many phenotypes of White Fire OG exist, some with dense, barrel-like buds and others with pointed, conic formations. Daytime use of this strain won’t leave the consumer drowsy, making it a good choice for social and creative activities. Smokers often choose white Fire OG to treat various issues, including anxiety, depression, cancer, glaucoma, pain, and appetite loss!

Tahoe OG

Tahoe OG is an indica-dominant hybrid strain with reports as one of the best choices for getting a good night’s sleep and curing insomnia due to its fast-acting, sedative effect. Tahoe OG features a lemony taste above an earthy taste and has orange and red hairs on the bush.

Tahoe OG exhibits large neon green buds with an extra thick layer of trichomes and has a very intense aroma with mixtures of lemon, earthiness, pine and a somewhat skunky fuel. Its taste is incredibly smooth and is definitely one you’d hope for when seeking out a calming and numbing sensation.

It provides heavy brain relaxation, especially in the frontal lobe and behind the eyes. When inhaled, it creates a numbing effect that circulates throughout the entire body. With this relaxation comes the feeling of euphoria and some minor creativity stimulation. Medicinally, Tahoe OG has proven useful for muscle pain and spasms, mood enhancement, and powerful anti-anxiety aid. Tahoe OG lasts up to 3 hours and provides a relaxing feeling throughout the day.

What Does OG Mean? No One True Answer

Unlike the origins of 420, the true meaning behind OG will probably never be discovered. With so many anecdotal accounts from a variety of locations, it’s almost impossible to pinpoint the term to one person or group.  While many believe OG stands for original gangster, its true definition is forever lost in time.

However, its true meaning isn’t as important as its cultural significance. Whether it’s a market of quality, a symbol of recognition or a homage towards rap music, I think every stoner can agree that OG is forever ingrained in cannabis culture, regardless of its definition!