What is ‘Kush’ cannabis?

When it comes to classifying marijuana, it’s not a one-size-fits-all way. Especially since the US and Canadian markets have gone legal, there are a plethora of new strains and cannabis products that lack a standardized classification.

That said, what hasn’t changed is standard why we’ve been categorizing our green flowery friend from since the 60’s and 70’s, even as new strains seem to evolve from almost any LP or grower. Our flowery friend falls into a grouping of sativa, indicia or hybrid.

But even this classification isn’t enough for the connoisseur of bud, and with cannabis now mainstream in the legal sense we see other cannabis cultural classifications weaved into our conversations; such as Purple, Kush or Haze.

Classifications as these stem from our definition of the strains attributes and characteristics, such as the flowers uniques for its’ flavour, positive (or negative) effects, smell and even the strains native birthplace or region.

What makes ‘Kush’ Cannabis, ‘Kush’

When you hear the term Kush from your favourite Friday night comedy like Pineapple Express, or mainstream media dropping the term in a Snoop Dog track or Seth Rogen’s next stoner comedy, just translate Kush as a popular variety of marijuana that somehow made its way from the Hindu Kush mountain range, located in northern Pakistan and the Nuristan and Badakhshan provinces of Afghanistan. Who would have thought, right? The Hindu Kush range is its native homeland where the plant is found growing organically in the valleys and mountainside.

But what’s with all the hype around Kush? Like many popular strains as Charlottes Web, or popular strains branded from Canopy Growth, Aurora or Aphria, the hype stems from the flowers genetics. This means the flowers genetics showcases strong attributes of its appears, smell or odour, flavour and taste and above all else, its effects. OG Kush is among the more popular Kush in the market today from licensed retailers, and its all in its name; OG = original gangsta or simply its the original.

Let’s break Kush down to understand what cannabis users look for, or jump to the full cannabis profile of OG Kush here see the common effects, smell, flavours and more that are found in most Kush.

• Smell: Kush’s smell can range between pine, sweet fruit, earthy, floral, spice, pepper, citrus, gas, and herbs.
• Effects (positive and negative): Kush effects are typically heavy and sedative. Its variety tends to deliver users a strong euphoric uplight that puts on the happy smile to your face. The sedative nature of Kush tends to also give users a sense of internal reflection. However, like other marijuana strains with similar attributes, the cerebral effects of Kush often is a popular consideration for medicinal cannabis applications.
• Look-n-feel: Kush strains often have strong green leaves and colas with subtle traces of purple. It’s hairs (or Pistils) give an appearance of rust or bronze, and some even more orange coloured. The buds are more thick or chunky and knotted, grown from a plant that is shorter and thick.
• Flavour or taste: Depending on how you intake Kush, smoke or vaping gives a smooth flavour of citrus, diesel, grape, earthy and or flowers, but when mixed with edibles, the flavour and strength can change based on the mixture of your editable ingredients.

Remember, Kush is not a one-size-fits-all cannabis strain. The attributes of Kush can vary from strain to strain, and as LP’s as Canopy Growth and Aurora brand their variations of Kush, each will likely have their own distinct attributes as once the industry goes thru its consolidation in the next few years and only the top brands remain, each licensed producer will have likely have their own unique proprietary way of growing Kush, which defines its own genetic profile of flavour, effects, appearance and smell.

Both licensed producers and legal growers of Kush have found it a popular choice to stabilize hybrid genetics because it presents a natural constraint to key elements native to their origin. For example, attributes of Kush that may have more sturdy or strong stocks can survive harsher or frigid climates needing less water. No different than animals, the original traits of Kush make it enduring to some of the toughest terrain and climates, whereas other marijuana strains may flourish in opposing conditions. Just based on this alone, you can see from its natural strength and perseverance that many LP’s and legal growers prefer growing Kush cannabis strains for their solid yields.

Top 5 Kush cannabis strains

A poll from POW’s Canadian community of cannabis users among the plethora of Kush strains available, we’ve narrowed down simple search of “Kush” will yield hundreds of strains with an Afghani ancestor, but let’s start with the five most popular:

1. OG Kush

Ah, the strain we hear about almost every day, OG Kush. OG Kush was the top Kush strain from POW’s community, and rightly so. The strains potent flavours and effects have helped it grab the spotlight. It’s sultry yet sedative effects deliver an uplifting impact that makes it a beautiful strain to just feel damn good.

The consensus on OG Kush delivers a topline sense of relaxed, happy and euphoric, with a downside of dry mouth, dry eyes and light dizziness. Check out the other effects, flavours and user reviews on OG Kush.

2. Bubba Kush

Coming in at #2, when you’re looking for a strong indica strain effect, Bubba Kush usually is the first that comes to mind. Bubba Kush is very heavy and sedative cannabis strain that tends to plant your but in the couch for a movie marathon, or deep sleep. It also triggers the foody in most of us, but not by any extent to get creative in the kitchen. Bubba Kush ignites a b-line drive for those chocolate ice cream bars, popcorn or chips to satisfy your heightened appetite. Safe to say, Bubba Kush is one strain that can heighten the taste and satisfaction of almost any food…and helps pack on the pounds if that’s what you’re looking for.

3. Purple Kush

If you’re looking for an indica-dominant strain that perpetuates its stereotype attributes, look no further than the marijuana strain Purple Kush. As its in its name, Purple Kush has purple foliage and is known to give off a very pleasant taste of fruit / grape-like and earthy flavour that compliments its sleep time effects. Originally created by breeders in a neighbourhood of Oakland, California (dubbed Oaksterdam), Purple Kush delivers 100% indica genetics that provides a slow and relaxing full body stone. And unlike some hybrids that start off with a disorienting head high that melts into a slow sense of calm, Purple Kush gradually eases you straight into physical relaxation.

4. Skywalker OG

Another popular Kush family member is Skywalker Kush. This marijuana strain delivers a fruit-rich, diesel-driven flavour and aroma while replicating the happy, uplifted mental characteristics of its paternal genetics. Similar to Bubba Kush, the Skywalker strain effects are similar to a sedative that consumes over the body as it takes the classic hybrid effects of OG Kush and deepens its sedating effects with the addition of Skywalker.

5. Master Kush

Master Kush is another Kush classic that inherits attributes directly from Hindu Kush. Master Kush is a strain originally named High Rise, which comes from south Amsterdam. This mostly indica strain gained popularity in coffee shops there as a unique tetraploid strain (as most cannabis strains are diploid. Master Kush delivers a similar mixture of sleepy, happy, and relaxing effects. It’s an excellent alternative to Bubba Kush.

Now that you’re all up on your Kush knowledge, share your experience and leave a review for other cannabis users considering trying OG Kush, Bubba Kush, Purple Kush and other Kush strains.