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The Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan and Pakistan is known for its history of cannabis and hashish production. Years of natural and human selection for the most resinous, Indica-dominant plants have resulted in short, stocky bushes covered with huge, shiny trichomes. The Indica-dominant genetics shortened typical flowering times, allowing plants to be grown all the way up to Alaska where the winter frost arrives early. While Haze varieties generally dominate the Sativa category in the seedbank contest, Kushes traditionally prevail among the Indicas. Nowhere are Kush strains more prevalent than in Southern California with their many medical-marijuana dispensaries True Kush strains have also spread far and wide throughout Northern California and beyond Strains with “Kush” in their name boast such a reputation for potency, and those who know can immediately discern that particular lemon-fuel odor and telltale tiny nuggets as the real deal. The intense citrus flavor, skunky odor and extremely long-lasting stone are memorable.

As common for OG (“Ocean Grown”) strains, this OG is a potent indica with a high THC content optimal for nighttime use. Katy Perry sets itself apart by its euphoric onset prior to the heavy, sedative effects, making it also useful for stress relief. This strain also differs from typical indicas in its earthy aroma that delivers smoothly with low expansion. An established strain within the medicinal cannabis community, Katy Perry OG can be appropriately described as otherworldly.

King Louie OG Kush is one of the most potent strains in Southern California. The name it self will bring to mind a popular indica-dominant strain. This strain announces itself as many people did in the 1600s: by its smell. The difference is this monarch’s odor is one that’s meant to be enjoyed; its dense nugs have an overwhelmingly piney smell with an earthy musk that will have you thinking of your last forest adventure. Bred in part from OG Kush, King Louie OG Kush has a og Mix kush aroma . Good for insomnia, this strain often tests at over 20% THC.

Master Kush is a popular indica cross created out of two landrace strains from different parts of the Hindu Kush region. Master Kush is bred by the Dutch White Label Seed Company, located in Amsterdam. During maturation the plant produces a subtle earthy, citrus smell with a hint of incense, which is often described as a vintage flavor. The taste of Master Kush is reminiscent of the famous hard-rubbed charas hash. This strain holds a superb balance of full-body relaxation without the mind-numbing effect that many indica strains produce. Instead, Master Kush offers a sharpened sensory awareness that can bring out the best of any activity.

Platinum Kush is an indica-dominant strain that takes on a platinum-silver shade due to its thick coat of crystal resin. With purple hues and bright orange hairs, its buds grow dense with a sweet fruity and hashy aroma. Its THC content can measure up to about 18% with trace levels of CBD, and its buzz has been described as strongly cerebral and body-numbing.

The Tahoe OG strain is a balanced Indica and Sativa hybrid that leans gently towards Indica dominant. It’s a cross between OG Kush from the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles and a Tahoe strain. Lake Tahoe, at 501 metres is America’s second deepest freshwater lake and lies in beautiful countryside on the borders of California and Nevada. The Tahoe OG strain has a powerful skunky aroma with notes of lemon citrus and pine forest. The flavour is similar with hints of fuel, a well-known characteristic of the OG Kush parent. When you light some up you’ll rapidly experience a soaring body high so strong that even seasoned smokers may feel disorientated. Novice smokers should approach this weed with caution. Medicinally, it can help with muscular pain and sleeplessness. The plants grow to a medium height with quite slender leaves and roundish buds. As they mature, the dark green buds take on an orange to brown hue. THC content is high, in the 18 to 21 percent range. These plants were bred specifically for indoor growing where they do well with hydro or soil mediums. Harvest can be increased by trimming and topping the plants and by training the branches carefully. Flowering time is nine to 10 weeks and you can expect yields of around 300 grams per square metre. If you want to grow this weed outdoors, you’ll need to live somewhere with a warm, sunny climate with temperatures at the southern Mediterranean level. This is not the easiest weed to grow, but it does produce yields that are at the high end of the cannabis potency scale. To conclude this Tahoe OG review, if you’re prepared to put in some effort during cultivation, you’ll be rewarded by mind-blowing highs.

Blue Cheese is an Sativa cross created by crossing a Blue Dream with an original Cheese (a Skunk #1 phenotype) female. The sweet and savory smells of berry and blue cheese combine to create a creamy, unique flavor reminecent of the original Cheese. The effects will help you feel relaxed at the end of the day and can provide relief for muscle spasms, pain, and stress: yet you can still get a lot done and great for cleaning.

The Diamond OG cut is a favorite of mine when it comes to phenotypes of OG Kush. Whenever I come across a strain with Diamond OG in its lineage I make a point to check it out and I’m rarely disappointed. It passes on a compact OG-like bud structure, but is often allows the qualities of whichever strain it is crossed with to flourish (Green Diamond for example). Much to my chagrin, the Blue Diamond Strain seemed to carry on this tradition. The Blue Diamond strain was the result of crossing Diamond OG and Blue Dream. Both of its parents are nearly 50-50 hybrids but the Diamond OG phenotype tends to lean towards the Sativa end of the spectrum. That, combined with the Blue Diamond strain’s effects, leads me to believe that it is a slightly Sativa-dominant hybrid.

Blue Dream, a sativa-dominant hybrid originating in California, has achieved legendary status among West Coast strains. Crossing a Blueberry indica with the sativa Haze, Blue Dream balances full-body relaxation with gentle cerebral invigoration. Novice and veteran consumers alike enjoy the level effects of Blue Dream, which ease you gently into a calm euphoria. Some Blue Dream phenotypes express a more indica-like look and feel, but the sativa-leaning variety remains most prevalent. With a sweet berry aroma redolent of its Blueberry parent, Blue Dream delivers swift symptom relief without heavy sedative effects. This makes Blue Dream a popular daytime medicine for patients treating pain, depression, nausea, and other ailments requiring a high THC strain.

Pineapple Express combines the potent and flavorful forces of parent strains Trainwreck and Hawaiian. The smell is likened to fresh apple and mango, with a taste of pineapple, pine, and cedar. This hard-hitting sativa provides a long-lasting energetic buzz perfect for productive afternoons and creative escapes.

DNA Genetics’ Sour Tangie is an 80% sativa cross between East Coast Sour Diesel and Tangie. Sour Tangie brings together the classic Sour Diesel aroma with Tangie’s creative, elevating buzz and strong citrus overtones. This sativa has two different phenotypes that express either Sour Diesel or Tangie bud structures and effects. Sour Tangie grows quickly in its vegetative cycle and finishes flowering in 9 to 10 weeks indoors.

Taking after its popular parents, Super Sour Diesel is one incredible sativa. A potent cross between Super Silver Haze and Sour Diesel, Super Sour Diesel knocks out stress and pain while fostering creativity and euphoria. In true sativa form, Super Sour Diesel energizes, making it great for daytime use. New users, however, should use caution when trying this strain. Super Sour Diesel produces strong cerebral effects, which may be overpowering to novice MMJ patients. Familiar users will be surprised at this strain’s introspective spark. Sociable and fun, the effects of this strain are felt upon first taste. Super Sour Diesel’s pungent, fuel-like aroma speaks to the sheer strength of this strain.

First available as a clone in California’s Bay Area and now in seed form from Cali Connection, Alien OG is a cross of Tahoe OG and Alien Kush. One of the most potent strains available today, this indica-dominant hybrid has tested as high as 28% THC. Alien OG has the typical lemon-pine “OG” smell and flavor, and an intense high that combines heavy indica body effects and a psychedelic cerebral buzz. Beginners and novices, be sure to take it slow with this heavy-hitter.

White Fire OG, also known as WiFi OG, is a 60% sativa hybrid with uplifting and comfortable cerebrally 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. White Fire OG is often chosen by patients to treat anxiety and depression, cancer, glaucoma, pain, and appetite loss. Growers of White Fire OG can raise their high-yielding plants outdoors or inside with a 65-day flowering period.