Have you met the Indica Queen, Bubba Kush? She’s old-school royalty, and she never goes out of style. A perennial favorite at our Michigan dispensaries, the Bubba Kush strain is renowned for its ability to wipe out everyday stress and impart some deeply relaxing effects. For the full rundown of this iconic cultivar, you’ve come to the right place. Follow along as we take a deep dive into Bubba Kush—we’ll answer all of your burning questions, including:
- What type of strain is Bubba Kush?
- What is Bubba Kush’s history?
- What are the effects of the Bubba Kush weed strain?
- What does Bubba Kush taste like?
….and more. By the end, you may just find yourself hankering for a taste of this sweet, earthy, and uniquely powerful strain.
Bubba Kush History & Genetics
Bubba Kush, a legendary cannabis strain, traces its roots back to a California grower who reportedly brought an indica seedling from New Orleans to the West Coast. This strain comes from a long lineage of cannabis royalty. In the late 1990s, breeders in the Emerald Triangle combined OG Kush genetics with the beloved Northern Lights strain, resulting in a resin-rich indica hybrid that has captivated cannabis enthusiasts ever since.
OG Kush has a citrusy, indica-dominant profile derived from Chemdawg and Hindu Kush. Meanwhile, Northern Lights is a celebrated cross of two landrace strains, Afghani and Thai, cementing its status as a cornerstone of cannabis genetics.
With its relaxing effects and distinguished flavor, Bubba Kush has earned a well-deserved reputation over the years, solidifying its place as a classic in the cannabis world.
How Potent is Bubba Kush?
Bubba Kush is celebrated for its powerful mental euphoria and deeply relaxing physical effects. With THC levels typically starting around 20% and some strains exceeding 30%, this indica-dominant favorite delivers a potent experience that can appeal to cannabis patients of those with higher tolerances.
Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis flower, making up anywhere from 2% to over 30% by weight, depending on its genetics. THC and other cannabinoids, like cannabidiol (CBD), interact with the body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS)—a critical regulatory network discovered only a few decades ago. Cannabinoids bind to specialized receptor cells, known as CB1 and CB2, to produce effects such as euphoria, physical relaxation, and other therapeutic benefits.
THC’s ability to bind directly to CB1 receptors in the brain is what creates the signature “high” associated with cannabis. CBD can’t bond to CB1 receptors, so it doesn’t produce the same heady effect that THC does. Instead, CBD interacts indirectly with ECS receptors to produce subtler effects. While traditional Bubba Kush strains are low in CBD, specially bred varieties like Bubba Kush CBD provide high-CBD content. These CBD-rich options may deliver a slight cerebral uplift and gentle relaxation without the intoxicating effects of THC.
If you’re interested in exploring high-CBD products, we offer a wide selection of edibles, topicals, and vapes designed for those seeking low-THC products. If you’re unsure which Bubba Kush product is right for you, our friendly and knowledgeable budtenders are always happy to help.
Bubba Kush Terpenes, Aroma, and Flavor
The overall flavor of Bubba Kush is sweet, earthy, and hashish-like, with spicy, dank, and floral overtones. Its buds deliver an enticingly pungent scent that some fans compare with dark-roasted coffee or chocolate, making it an ideal dessert strain. Due to its delicious flavors, it’s no wonder it houses an impressive array of potent terpenes, including:
- Myrcene: The grandmaster of most indica strains, myrcene imparts a sweet, earthy base featuring hints of mango and berry.
- Pinene: The Indica Queen’s green knight, pinene infuses Bubba Kush with refreshing herbal notes reminiscent of rosemary, parsley, and evergreen trees.
- Beta-caryophyllene: Also found in cinnamon, clove, and black pepper, beta-caryophyllene adds spicy notes to a strain’s overall flavor and aroma.
- Humulene: This terpene is found in pungent plants like hops, sage, and ginseng. Humulene is primarily responsible for Bubba Kush’s dank, skunky overtones.
Aside from its enticing aroma and complex flavor profile, Bubba Kush exemplifies authentic cannabis royalty with its stunning good looks. Like true nobility, this cultivar doesn’t skimp on bag appeal. Her oversized, resinous buds dazzle consumers with pastel green hues and contrasting bright orange pistols. Some strains exhibit hints of magenta and purple, making the buds appear like they are dressed for a celebration.
Bubba Kush Effects: Calm Yet Powerful
What’s the Bubba Kush experience? Indicas are beloved for imparting a heavy “body high” and deeply relaxing effects, and Bubba Kush delivers all this and more to many of its diehard fans. Considered a classic indica, it can be powerfully relaxing—even sedative—so if you’re looking for an energetic buzz for productive activity, Bubba Kush probably isn’t the best choice. However, if you’re looking to unwind and giggle a little after a long day, you can’t do much better than this Indica Queen.
Since so many people use cannabis to ease body aches, Bubba Kush tops the list of popular strains among medical marijuana patients. While the euphoria and anti-inflammatory properties of THC may help with common discomfort, terpenes also play an important role, especially those found in Bubba Kush. Myrcene, one of the most abundant terpenes in the strain, has long been credited for the “couch-lock” effect many people experience after consuming cannabis. Its sedative properties may induce physical relaxation and drowsiness, which may also help with minor body aches and occasional sleep issues.
Spicy beta-caryophyllene also plays a considerable role in Bubba Kush’s overall effect. Research has found that it may have immense therapeutic potential, including anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and analgesic properties. Plus, beta-caryophyllene has the unique ability to interact directly with ECS receptors, prompting scientists to classify the compound as both a terpene and a cannabinoid.
Though our customers often turn to indica strains to unwind after a stressful day, they’re also notorious for producing the munchies. Bubba Kush makes a delicious after-dinner treat, but you might want to keep some healthy snacks nearby when you partake.
Growing Bubba Kush
Growing Bubba Kush can be challenging, especially for beginners. This strain thrives in nutrient-rich soil and requires careful monitoring of humidity levels. Its dense, resinous flowers are prone to retaining moisture in damp environments, which can lead to a fungal disease called botrytis. Botrytis, or “root rot,” can quickly devastate a crop of Bubba Kush in a surprisingly short time frame. However, you can take the following measures to protect your plants from excess moisture.
- Grow indoors: Cultivating Bubba Kush in an indoor environment allows you to control ambient conditions like temperature, humidity, and airflow. It does best in temperatures between 75 80°F. Relative humidity should be kept between 60 and 70% throughout the vegetative stage and lowered to 40% during flowering.
- Train your plants with Sea-of-Green techniques: Using a mesh trellis will help support the heavy buds and reduce moisture accumulation.
- Prune plants: Careful pruning of the broad, dark green leaves during the vegetative stage will open up the center of the plants, making room for the thick colas that develop during flowering time.
Bubba Kush is also a heavy feeder, requiring significant nitrogen, calcium, and magnesium inputs to thrive. But its nutritional demands are more than mere indulgence. The strain needs all that extra energy to produce its lush, fragrant buds. We recommend you start with a well-prepared super soil and supplement your plants periodically with rich, compost tea.
Gardeners can also try growing Bubba Kush hydroponically. Hydroponic indoor growing can help combat common pests that like to hide in dense buds.
Bubba Kush cannabis flowers in around 9 weeks indoors and produces yields up to 15 ounces per square meter.
Growing Bubba Kush Outdoors
In a dry environment, Bubba Kush can thrive outdoors. While this indica-dominant strain prefers a mild, springlike climate, it can tolerate cooler temperatures, making a late-autumn harvest possible. Topping the plants several times during the vegetative stage is essential, as it encourages an abundance of bud sites and can yield up to 20 ounces per plant.
Growing Bubba Kush can be demanding, especially for those new to cannabis cultivation. However, with careful attention to nutrients, temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors, you’ll be rewarded with a bountiful crop of delicious, trichome-rich flower.
The Bubba Family: Alternative Bubba Kush Strains
Considering the strain’s deep roots in cannabis history, Bubba Kush has an extensive family tree. With so many spinoffs, picking the best one is a tough choice—most Bubba strains tend to be hard-hitting indicas that deliver potent and long-lasting effects. Here are some of our current favorites:
- Bubba Fett: This punny cross between Stardog and Pre-98 Bubba Kush may feature classic indica effects and a sweet, skunky aroma.
- Platinum Bubba: With THC levels that typically range above 20%, you may find that Platinum Bubba combines a deep body buzz with uplifting euphoria and a distinct spicy aroma.
- Bubba 59: A direct descendant of Pre-98 Bubba Kush, Bubba 59 stands out for its 70/30 sativa-to-indica ratio and strong notes of coffee, spice, and chocolate. The Bubba 59 strain may be ideal for people seeking the relaxing Kush effects while remaining productive.
- Bubba Diagonal: Cannabis breeders deftly combined Florida OG and Bubba Kush to create a high-THC, 80% indica strain with spicy pine aromas and classic Kush effects.
- Death Bubba: Born in Vancouver, Death Bubba merges genetics from Bubba Kush and Death Star. Also known as “D Bubba,” this variety is prized for its dazzling purple colors and astronomically high THC levels.
- Purple Bubba: Two potent Kush strains join powers in Purple Kush, renowned for its sedative effects and complex flavor profile featuring hints of sweet grape and pine.
- Bubba Gum: Also known as Bubba Gum OG, this strain may delight the senses with a tingly feeling of calm and an intense berry, bubblegum flavor.
Do you have another Bubba Kush variety you’d like to see on our shelves? Let us know, and we’ll be on the lookout!
Explore Cannabis Royalty and More With Exclusive
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about this deliciously decadent cannabis strain. Across decades and countless fans, Bubba Kush remains an iconic cultivar with incredible staying power. If you’re exploring high-THC Bubba Kush, we recommend starting low and going slow—this Indica Queen’s potent effects can go from relaxing to overwhelming if you’re not careful.
Our stock updates frequently to bring you the freshest options, so check out the menus at our family of Michigan dispensaries to see if Bubba Kush is available. We always carry an impressive selection of Michigan’s best indica strains, and our knowledgeable budtenders can help you find something comparable if Bubba Kush isn’t in stock.
For more information about Bubba Kush or other cannabis-related topics, explore our blog!
