With 5,000 years of history that’s spread around the globe, cannabis culture has developed a rich, multilingual lexicon to describe the cannabis plant and the wealth of human experience surrounding it. But with such a varied expanse of lore to draw upon, the origins of many words and expressions in the dank dictionary are matters of contention, subject to ongoing debate.
A prime example of this phenomenon can be found with the term OG — you know, as in OG Kush. But what does OG mean? Although the initials “OG” are commonplace in marijuana subcultures, what they stand for is largely a matter of who you ask. Most often you’ll hear one of two popular theories, but there are several more. Outside of pot culture, there are even more possible definitions for OG.
So, what does OG truly stand for? We’ll leave that decision to you, curious reader. But here’s a breakdown of its different definitions and the lore that fuels its contextual popularity.
“Ocean grown” hails from northern california
One theory about the origin of the term OG in weed-lore is that it stands for “Ocean Grown.” As the legend goes, a Northern California coastal grower who mastered the art of cultivating Afghani kush (more on this strain later) met a fellow pot smoker one day and the two got to talking. Before long, the grower’s new friend pulled out a bag of weed and offered to pack a bowl. As soon as the bag was opened and the cultivator — who hadn’t revealed his occupation — smelled the herb and saw the buds, he knew that it was the weed he’d just grown.
What does “og” mean when talking about weed?
With 5,000 years of history that’s spread around the globe, cannabis culture has developed a rich, multilingual lexicon to describe the cannabis plant and the wealth of human experience surrounding it. But with such a varied expanse of lore to draw upon, the origins of many words and expressions in the dank dictionary are matters of contention, subject to ongoing debate.
A prime example of this phenomenon can be found with the term OG — you know, as in OG Kush. But what does OG mean? Although the initials “OG” are commonplace in marijuana subcultures, what they stand for is largely a matter of who you ask. Most often you’ll hear one of two popular theories, but there are several more. Outside of pot culture, there are even more possible definitions for OG.
So, what does OG truly stand for? We’ll leave that decision to you, curious reader. But here’s a breakdown of its different definitions and the lore that fuels its contextual popularity.
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.
But doesn’t og stand for original gangster?
Another popular origin story for the term OG, or Original Gangster (sometimes old-school gangster) in this context, has its roots in the Los Angeles hip-hop scene of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. With a number of MCs (such as Dr. Dre and Ice Cube of NWA) coming from neighborhoods rife with gangs, guns, and drugs, OG implied status and stability in a chaotic world, particularly among the Crips, one of LA’s most notorious gangs.
After being made popular by Ice-T with his album Original Gangster in 1991, it wasn’t long before the expression permeated Southern California’s rap culture and the broader American zeitgeist.
The term was then tagged onto the kush being grown to distinction by cultivators in San Fernando Valley, by Cypress Hill’s crew according to some versions of the story. The assertion is supported by Amsterdam-based cannabis seed bank DNA Genetics, which developed seeds for the strain that had previously only been available as a clone.
“The OG got tagged onto the LA Kush back in the ’90s by the Cypress Hill Crew and it stands for ‘original gangsta,’” DNA told the San Diego City Beat in a 2011 email. “There are also stories of the OG standing for ‘Ocean Grown,’ but being from LA we believe and feel that the OG comes from the Cypress family. Hope that clears the hazy air.”
Before long, OG Kush was the preferred bud for any self-respecting West Coast gangsta’s blunt.
Basically. The OGs of the hood are kinda like the guys who have just always been around, and are looked up too and well respected. Basically like the top dogs of the area. Idk when it got adapted for weed. I think just because saying OG was trendy and it got used.