Cannabis was an important crop in ancient Korea, Japan and Asia. Its usage by humans dates back to at least the third millennium. Hemp is possibly one of the earliest plants to be cultivated. Written history shows us samples of Japanese hempen fabric as early as 3000 BC. The plant has been valued for its use as fiber and rope, food and medicine, and – due to its psychoactive properties – for religion and recreation. 

Around the turn of the millennium, the use of hashish (cannabis resin) began to cross over from the Persian world into the Arab world. Hashish was introduced to Egypt in the 12th century, but the smoking of it did not become common in the Old World until after the introduction of tobacco. 

In the 19th century, it began to be restricted in colonial countries, often associated with racial and class struggles. In the United States, cannabis was heavily associated with jazz musicians and the lower classes. By the mid 20th century, international coordination led to sweeping restrictions on cannabis throughout most of the globe. In the US, the first restrictions on sale of cannabis came in 1906. It was outlawed by the “Ganja Law” in Jamaica in 1913 and Canada criminalized its use in 1923. In the 1960s, the US saw a dramatic increase in cannabis use among young white Americans, establishing it in mainstream middle-class culture. 

As part of its so-called “War on Drugs” in the 1970s and 80s, the US applied pressure to countries producing and trafficking cannabis. In 1973, the US pressured Nepal to close down its legal cannabis distribution and stores [64]. That same year, the US gave 47 million dollars to Afghanistan to eradicate its cannabis and opium [64]. Similarly, in 1985, the US began eradicating cannabis in Belize (the fourth-largest cannabis exporter to the US at that time), decreasing production there to “negligible levels” [65].

At the start of the 21st century, some nations began to decriminalize cannabis. the Netherlands became the first nation to legalize cannabis, and in 2015 Uruguay became the first to legalize it for recreational use. Canada followed in 2018 and South Africa approved it for home use only. 

Cannabis Sativa

Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus first identified psychoactive cannabis plants as cannabis sativa in the mid 18th century. Sativas are native to the warm climates of Mexico, Central America, and Southeast Asia. They love the heat and the outdoors where they can grow much taller and develop long thin leaves and wider spaces between branches. They can grow as tall as twenty-five feet, but most only grow to around twelve. This is due to the tropical origin of Sativa strain in the regions close to the equator where the amount of daylight hours does not change much throughout the year. 

Best Selling Peanut Butter Breath is a AAAA Indica Sativa Hybrid
Our best-selling Peanut Butter Breath is a AAAA Indica Sativa hybrid blend.

Cannabis Indica

The European botanist Jean-Baptiste Lamark published the first description of the second species of cannabis in 1785 and named it indica. He named it for the Hindu Kush mountain range in India where he discovered it. You could say that Hindu Kush is the original kush

Because of Hindu Kush’s often harsh and variable climate (extremely cold winters and warm summers) indica plants are relatively short and dense with broad leaves to help them take in as much sun as possible during brief sunlight and to protect them from strong winds and extreme mountain weather. 

It is this harsh environment that causes the indica to mature rapidly with a flowering period of between six and eight weeks. They can be grown over a shorter period in indoor environments with low ceilings. This makes them very popular with cash-croppers and is one of the reasons you’ll find a lot of indica on the street. Indica plants tend to have fuller, more compact kolas at the top of the plant. Because of their smaller stature, however, they tend to produce smaller yields than sativas

Sativas grow long branches and sprout narrow leaves that are typically light green. Sativa buds are long, thin, and wispy. This allows for more air flow around and between the plants, resulting in better health and less risk of fungus in the humid tropical conditions. While the bud itself may look larger than those from an indica plant, they tend to weigh less. 
Because of the extra space needed to cultivate sativas indoors and their longer flowering time of ten-to-twelve weeks they are less popular with indoor growers and harder to find on the street.  

A smart cultivator can overcome this with good crop management. While indicas tend to yield less than sativas, they grow much faster and take up less room, meaning a cultivator can potentially grow more plants in less time, offsetting – or even outdoing – the total yield they would have gotten from a sativa crop in the same space.

Why is Kush so popular?

Maybe it has to do with so many artists writing lyrics to include their love for Kush. 

K-U-S-H keeps us so high
The K-U-S-H keeps us so high
The more I smoke, the higher I get
The better I feel; I can’t quit
The more I smoke, the higher I get
The better I feel; I can’t quit. 

Cypress Hill

Roll up, wait a minute
Let me put some kush up in it
Roll up, wait a minute
Let me put some kush up in it 

Dr Dre

Regardless of the strain, kush remains queen. Kush is famous for its dankness. Not only do its buds hold a bounty of resin; they also boast a phenomenal lemony/diesel flavour and a sweet, earthy aroma. In the last decade or so, the word “kush” has become synonymous with premium cannabis strains. High-quality street cannabis is often called kush among users. Kush has become the go-to term for high-quality street cannabis. 

Regardless of who pushed the kush, growers and rappers all agree that everyone is happy. They get an amazing bag of kush with its unique flavour and its rock hard crystal-caked buds bursting with often above 20% THC. For this reason we have such a hard time choosing which kush to smoke. 

Stoners agree: The top 10 kush strains are…

  1. Purple Kush (Indica Dominant Hybrid Strain) 
    The Purple Kush strain is a very calming type of Kush, and is also known as one of the best Kush strains; users report feeling both relaxed and happy. Purple Kush boasts herbal scents and flavours. It results from crossing the Hindu Kush with the Purple Afghani. When Purple Kush is grown, there can sometimes be a bit of purple colour on the plant. It also may get its purple name from the reportedly grape-like taste. Purple Kush can be used to treat stress, pain, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Dry mouth and dry eyes are common side effects, as one would expect. 
  2. Hindu Kush (Indica Dominant Hybrid Strain)
    Hindu Kush is a pure indica strain. It is also considered a “landrace strain” because it is named after where it grows organically – the Hindu Kush mountains. The taste and aroma give all the kush strains their sweet fruity smell. Thanks to its short flowering time of forty-five to fifty days this strain produces decent yields of dense buds drenched in trichomes. The typical relaxing, calming, and body-numbing effects of Hindu Kush do not go unnoticed. Both medical and recreational cannabis users can expect a meditative high that leaves you in a state of bliss.
  3. Rockstar Kush (Indica Dominant Hybrid Strain)
    Rockstar Kush is the offspring of Rockbud and Sensi Star. This indica dominant strain has an intensely sweet and skunky aroma. Just like every other kush on this list, Rockstar Kush promotes relaxation, happiness, and sleepiness. This strain absolutely increases your appetite  – munchies! With a flowering time of eight to nine weeks, Rockstar Kush is great for growing both indoors and outdoors. Otherwise known as BC Rockstar, this beautiful strain is perfect for both recreational and medical cannabis users.
  4. Master Kush (Indica Dominant Hybrid Strain) Bubba Kush
    Master Kush is an old-school kush strain famed for its powerful, resin-soaked buds. It delivers an incredibly enjoyable anti-anxiety high which has to be felt to be believed. Stress melts away and your soul smiles after sampling this blissfully enjoyable top Kush strain. You don’t have to take Dutch Passion’s word for it, Master Kush was crowned overall winner at the 2017 Highlife Cup. Master Kush seeds are easy to grow, at around eight weeks of indoor bloom. This is a top-quality indoor Kush strain which can also grow outdoors where it is ready in October (northern hemisphere) or April (southern hemisphere). All kush strains tend to deliver comforting, soothing effects, but Master Kush is particularly effective. Find out for yourself how good and enjoyable a top kush strain can be and try Master Kush for yourself!
  5. Candy Kush (Indica Dominant Hybrid Strain)
    Candy Kush is an indica dominant hybrid cannabis strain with THC levels ranging between fifteen and twenty-one percent. The offspring of Trainwreck and OG Kush, this strain leaves you feeling happy and uplifted. The buds are dense with dark green and purple hues. This potent strain is a sweet treat that reduces anxiousness and promotes mind/body balance.
  6. Bubba Kush (Indica Dominant Hybrid Strain)
    This cannabis originated in the cannabis-loving state of California. Reports say it is a cross of the hybrid OG Kush and unknown indica from New Orleans. The Northern Lights strain is also said to be in its lineage. The Bubba Kush strain holds ninety percent indica and ten percent sativa. This indica-dominant plant delivers a powerful euphoria, thanks to its high THC levels of 22%. Although its CBD level is genuinely low, it still contains some exceptional healing properties. This strain relieves pain and stress. It also helps cure depression, leaving patients in a better mood, and an ability to cope with day-to-day life. 
  7. Pink Kush (Indica Dominant Hybrid Strain)
    Don’t let the name fool you; this is a high-caliber kush. If you’re a kush-connoisseur, then this is for you – and it’s a must-have for those with a sweet tooth. Rated at twenty-four percent THC, Pink Kush will leave you in a blissed-out state for hours. Once you try this incredible strain, you’ll agree that this is some of the best BC bud around.
  8. Glueberry OG (Indica Dominant Hybrid Strain)
    All kush strains contain proven and powerful genetics. But Glueberry OG has some particularly illustrious genetics. Parent genetics come from original kush combined with Gorilla Glue #4 and the world famous Blueberry. All the parent genetics are very high THC and this ensures great stability in Glueberry OG.
  9. OG (Indica Dominant Hybrid Strain)
    Oceans Galore or OG was available as a clone only when it began its rise to be queen of the kush. She sits on the kush throne and in our opinion, the queen of all kush varieties is the OG Kush. Reputedly a mix of Chemdawg, Lemon Thai, and Pakistani Kush the OG Kush is undoubtedly connoisseur cannabis. Twenty-percent-plus THC levels from neon green gooey buds that hit you like a one-two punch combo of uplifting sativa followed by narcotic indica effects have made OG Kush a living legend. Critically acclaimed and beloved by ordinary decent stoners everywhere this kush is a cut above the rest. Believe the hype! Grow some OG Kush!
  10. Cali Kush (Indica Dominant Hybrid Strain)
    Last, but not least: Cali Kush. This strain is both calming and energizing (but leans a bit more toward the calm end of the spectrum). It gets its name from its rising popularity in California. Relaxation, happiness, and uplifting feelings can result from this particular strain. Depression, anxiety, stress, and headache sufferers can use this as well. Dry mouth may occur. The scents and tastes are mainly citrus. Cali Kush comes in both indica and sativa-dominant varieties, so you can try them both!