Notorious OG Strain: Genetics, Effects, and THCa
Notorious OG is an OG- and Kush-influenced cannabis cultivar associated with sour flavors, dense flower formations, and a heavy experience.
It has also been sold as “Notorious OG THCa flower.” Notorious OG, however, is the cultivar name. THCa flower describes the cannabinoid content and sometimes the legal positioning of a particular harvested product.
That distinction matters because a cultivar name cannot establish the exact potency, terpene profile, purity, or effects of every product carrying it. Those details must be evaluated at the batch level.
Important: This article is for general education only. It does not provide medical advice or recommend buying or using cannabis.
What Is the Notorious OG Strain?
Notorious OG is a cannabis cultivar created by Pheno Finder Seeds. It is commonly described as an indica-leaning or indica-dominant hybrid with OG and Kush characteristics.
According to the breeder, the cultivar was selected for a deep OG and sour flavor, a heavy and lasting experience, bushy growth, and solid flower formations. It also earned second place at Copa Cannaval in 2014.
Common descriptions associated with Notorious OG include:
- Sour and earthy aromas
- OG- and Kush-like flavors
- Dense flower formations
- Heavy physical relaxation
- Long-lasting effects
These are general cultivar descriptions rather than specifications for every Notorious OG product.
Notorious OG Genetics and Origin
The official Pheno Finder Seeds description lists Notorious OG as a cross between:
OG#18, identified as the Christopher Wallace OG cut × mystery Kush male
According to the breeder, the unidentified Kush seed was found during a testing session at Voyagers Coffeeshop in Amsterdam. Pheno Finder then selected a phenotype that expressed the OG, sour, and Kush qualities it wanted to preserve.
Some third-party strain databases report the lineage differently. That is not unusual in the cannabis market, where cultivar names and breeding histories are not governed by a universal naming or genetic-verification system.
For this reason, the breeder’s account is the most appropriate primary reference for Notorious OG’s origin.
Is Notorious OG an Indica or a Hybrid?
Notorious OG is generally marketed as an indica-dominant hybrid.
That label offers a broad description of how the cultivar is positioned, but it should not be used to guarantee a sedating or relaxing effect.
A large study of 89,923 commercial cannabis samples found that the labels “indica,” “sativa,” and “hybrid” were poorly or inconsistently aligned with the products’ underlying chemistry. Products sharing the same strain name also varied between producers, although some names were more chemically consistent than others.
Readers can explore the full research in the PLOS ONE study on the phytochemical diversity of commercial cannabis.
For an individual product, a batch-specific laboratory report is usually more informative than an indica or hybrid label.
Appearance
Pheno Finder describes Notorious OG as growing into a bushy plant with solid flower formations. The breeder lists a flowering period of approximately 60 to 75 days.
The appearance of harvested flower can still differ according to:
- Phenotype
- Growing environment
- Plant health
- Harvest timing
- Trimming and curing
- Age and storage conditions
Visible trichomes or dense buds do not, by themselves, establish potency, safety, or product quality. Those qualities require appropriate testing and careful evaluation of the individual batch.
Aroma and Flavor
The breeder emphasizes a deep OG and sour flavor with pronounced Kush characteristics.
Notorious OG is commonly associated with sensory notes such as:
- Sour
- Earthy
- Pungent
- Kush-like
- Fuel-like
- Spicy
Aroma and flavor are subjective. Different people may describe the same sample differently, and cultivation, curing, and storage can alter a flower’s scent.
What terpenes are in Notorious OG?
There is no single verified terpene profile that applies to every Notorious OG product.
A strain name or aroma description cannot confirm which terpenes are present. Only a laboratory report for the individual batch can show the terpenes detected and their measured concentrations.
Even products sold under the same cultivar name may differ chemically. Research into commercial cannabis labeling has found substantial variation between some samples sharing strain names.
Terpene results also should not be used to promise a particular emotional effect or medical outcome.
Commonly Reported Effects
Pheno Finder describes Notorious OG as producing a heavy, long-lasting experience. That statement reflects the breeder’s description rather than a controlled clinical study.
A small number of consumer reports and commercial strain descriptions also associate Notorious OG with:
- Physical relaxation
- Heaviness
- Euphoria
- Drowsiness
- Reduced energy
- Changes in attention or time perception
These reports cannot predict how every person will respond.
The effects of cannabis may vary with the amount consumed, cannabinoid concentration, consumption method, tolerance, medications, alcohol use, individual sensitivity, and surrounding environment.
Possible unwanted effects of THC exposure include poor coordination, confusion, dizziness, anxiety, paranoia, or panic. The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains that THC can temporarily alter mood, thoughts, and perception; its cannabis research overview provides further information.
Does Notorious OG Have Medical Benefits?
Online strain descriptions sometimes claim that Notorious OG helps with pain, stress, anxiety, insomnia, or other symptoms.
Those claims are generally based on consumer reports, breeder descriptions, or retail marketing. They do not prove that the cultivar treats a medical condition.
A strain name is particularly weak evidence for a health claim because two products sharing that name may differ in cannabinoids, terpenes, dose, purity, and production methods.
Research involving a standardized cannabinoid medicine also cannot automatically be applied to retail cannabis flower.
Anyone considering cannabis for a health-related reason should speak with a qualified healthcare professional, especially when taking medication or managing a mental-health, cardiovascular, neurological, pregnancy-related, or substance-use concern.
Notorious OG, THCa, and Potency
What does “Notorious OG THCa flower” mean?
“Notorious OG THCa flower” generally refers to cannabis flower sold under the Notorious OG name that contains a substantial concentration of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, or THCa.
THCa is a naturally occurring acidic cannabinoid found in cannabis. When it is heated, some of it converts into delta-9 THC through a process called decarboxylation.
This means THCa-rich flower can become intoxicating when smoked, vaporized, or otherwise heated.
A package showing little delta-9 THC before heating should therefore not automatically be considered non-intoxicating if it contains a high concentration of THCa.
Is THCa flower a separate kind of cannabis?
Not necessarily.
“THCa flower” is often a commercial or regulatory description rather than a distinct botanical type. Notorious OG is the cultivar; “THCa flower” describes the chemistry or marketing category of a particular product.
A useful distinction is:
- Cultivar: Notorious OG
- Product: The harvested and packaged batch
- Chemistry: Its measured cannabinoids and terpenes
- Legal status: How applicable law classifies it
- Retail description: The terminology used by the seller
The same cultivar name can appear on products with different cannabinoid concentrations or legal classifications.
How potent is Notorious OG?
Notorious OG does not have one permanent THC or THCa percentage.
Figures published by retailers or strain databases may come from one harvest, one laboratory report, an estimate, or aggregated product data. They should not be presented as universal properties of the cultivar.
To assess potency, check the report for the actual batch. A cannabinoid panel may include:
- THCa
- Delta-9 THC
- CBDa
- CBD
- CBGa
- CBG
- Other minor cannabinoids
- Total or potential THC
USDA rules for hemp-production compliance testing require laboratories to consider the potential conversion of THCa into THC and report total THC on a dry-weight basis. These USDA rules should not be mistaken for universal requirements governing every retail cannabis COA.
The USDA provides additional information in its hemp laboratory-testing guidelines.
How to Read a Notorious OG Certificate of Analysis
A Certificate of Analysis, or COA, reports the laboratory results for a tested sample. It does not prove that every product carrying the Notorious OG name has the same composition.
When reviewing a COA, focus on the following information.
Match the product and batch
The product name, batch number, lot number, or sample identifier on the COA should match the information on the package.
A report from another batch, harvest, or product is not an adequate substitute.
Confirm the laboratory details
A useful report should identify:
- The testing laboratory
- The date the sample was received
- The testing or completion date
- The report number
- The sample or batch identifier
- The testing methods or relevant accreditation information
Some laboratories provide a QR code or searchable certificate number. When possible, verify the report through the laboratory’s own system rather than relying only on an image supplied by a seller.
Understand the cannabinoid units
Cannabinoid results may be reported as:
- Percentage by weight
- Milligrams per gram
- Milligrams per package
- Dry-weight values
- As-received values
Read the report’s definitions before comparing results from different laboratories.
Look beyond potency
A potency-only report does not show whether the sample was screened for contaminants.
Depending on the jurisdiction and product type, testing may cover:
- Pesticides
- Heavy metals
- Microbial contamination
- Mycotoxins
- Residual solvents
- Moisture or water activity
- Foreign material
California’s regulated cannabis program, for example, requires licensed batches to be tested before sale for cannabinoids, terpenes, residual solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, microbial impurities, mycotoxins, moisture, and foreign material. These are California requirements, not universal rules for every hemp or cannabis product in the United States.
The California Department of Cannabis Control explains its requirements on its page about cannabis testing laboratories.
Understand common abbreviations
A COA may use terms such as:
- ND: Not detected
- LOD: Limit of detection
- LOQ: Limit of quantitation
- NT: Not tested
- Pass/Fail: Whether the sample met the applicable testing limit
“Not detected” does not necessarily mean that absolutely none of the substance was present. It generally means the laboratory did not detect it above the method’s stated threshold.
Why Notorious OG Products Can Differ
Products carrying the same strain name may vary because of:
- Different phenotypes or plant selections
- Seed-grown versus clone-grown plants
- Cultivation conditions
- Harvest timing
- Drying and curing
- Storage and age
- Laboratory methods
- Inconsistent naming or labeling
The PLOS ONE analysis found that strain names are not completely meaningless, but they are far from perfect indicators of chemical composition. Some names were relatively consistent, while others varied significantly across producers.
This is why the COA for the packaged batch is more useful than an old potency number or a generalized strain-directory profile.
Safety Considerations
THCa-rich flower can become intoxicating when heated. A product described as hemp-derived should not be assumed to be incapable of causing impairment.
Cannabis can affect attention, memory, coordination, movement, judgment, reaction time, and perception. Combining it with alcohol or other impairing substances can increase impairment.
Basic precautions include:
- Do not drive or operate machinery while impaired.
- Avoid combining cannabis with alcohol or other impairing substances.
- Keep cannabis products away from children and pets.
- Do not rely on a cultivar name to determine a suitable amount.
- Be cautious with products that lack verifiable batch testing.
- Consult a healthcare professional during pregnancy, breastfeeding, medication use, or treatment for a health condition.
The CDC’s cannabis and driving guidance recommends not using cannabis when planning to drive.
For a possible poisoning or serious unexpected reaction in the United States, Poison Control offers online and telephone guidance. Seek emergency assistance for a life-threatening reaction.
Is Notorious OG Legal?
The name Notorious OG does not determine whether a product is legal.
Legal status depends on its cannabinoid composition, where it is produced or sold, and the federal, state, tribal, and local rules that apply.
As of July 2026, the federal hemp definition still uses a limit of no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight. A statutory amendment scheduled to take effect on November 12, 2026, changes the federal definition to a total-tetrahydrocannabinols standard that expressly includes THCa.
State laws may already apply total-THC standards or restrict intoxicating hemp products more broadly. A seller’s statement that a product is “hemp-derived,” “Farm Bill compliant,” or “legal nationwide” is not conclusive.
The exact federal language and scheduled amendment are available in 7 U.S.C. § 1639o.
Because cannabis and hemp laws change frequently, readers should check current rules in their jurisdiction rather than relying on an older article or product label.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the genetics of Notorious OG?
Pheno Finder Seeds lists Notorious OG as a selected OG#18 phenotype, identified as the Christopher Wallace OG cut, crossed with a mystery Kush male.
Is Notorious OG an indica or a hybrid?
It is commonly classified as an indica-dominant hybrid. That label does not guarantee the chemistry or effects of a particular batch.
What does Notorious OG smell like?
The breeder emphasizes deep OG, sour, and Kush characteristics. Individual batches may smell different because of phenotype, cultivation, curing, storage, and chemical composition.
Does Notorious OG contain THCa?
Cannabis flower commonly contains THCa before heating. The amount in an individual Notorious OG product must be confirmed through its batch-specific laboratory report.
How potent is Notorious OG?
There is no universal potency figure for the cultivar. Check the COA that matches the packaged batch rather than relying on an old retailer listing or strain-directory average.
Is Notorious OG guaranteed to make someone sleepy?
No. The breeder describes a heavy experience, but individual responses vary. A strain name cannot guarantee drowsiness, relaxation, or any other effect.
The Bottom Line
Notorious OG is an OG- and Kush-influenced cultivar developed by Pheno Finder Seeds. The breeder describes it as a cross between a selected OG#18 phenotype and a mystery Kush male, with a deep sour-OG flavor and heavy character.
That breeding history offers useful background, but it does not define every product sold under the name.
Potency, terpene content, purity, and effects may differ between batches. The best way to evaluate a specific Notorious OG product is to combine the breeder’s documented history with a matching Certificate of Analysis, realistic expectations, and awareness of the relevant health and legal considerations.
