Indica Dominant Hybrid
Master Kush
Also known as: High Rise, Masterkush
THC15% - 20%
CBD0% - 1%
Flowering8 - 9 weeks
Top terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Humulene
Quick answer
Master Kush is an indica-dominant classic bred in Amsterdam from two Hindu Kush landraces, testing 15-20% THC. Earthy spicy-pine flavour with hashy depth, and a calm heavy-body high. Back-to-back Cannabis Cup winner 1992-93.
Master Kush is the retired king of the kush world - back-to-back Cannabis Cups in the 90s, coffeeshop royalty ever since, and still one of the smoothest evening smokes you can put in a pipe. Earthy spice and pine, no fruit, no candy, no gimmicks. The high is a slow, heavy calm that starts in the shoulders and ends somewhere near nap. At 15-20% it will not outrun modern exotics, and that is the charm: this is a strain for unwinding, not chasing numbers. If weed had a leather armchair, this would be it.
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Strain facts – the numbers behind the high
THC Range
15% - 20%
Individual batches vary; craft lots often test higher.
CBD Range
0% - 1%
Trace amounts only. This is a THC-driven profile.
Type
Indica Dominant Hybrid
Ratio drives the shape of the high.
Top Terpenes
Myrcene · Caryophyllene · Humulene
The terpene leaders behind the flavour and feel.
Flowering Time
8 - 9 weeks
Grower reference for cultivar finish time.
Where this sits in the indica laneMost indicas test 15% to 22% THC
Master Kush: 15% - 20% THC. Right in the sweet spot of the indica lane.
The story of Master Kush
Master Kush was bred in Amsterdam by the White Label Seed Company from two different Hindu Kush landrace selections, and its rise ran through the coffeeshop circuit - back-to-back Cannabis Cup wins in 1992-93 made it a menu staple across the city, where it was reportedly sold under the name High Rise at one point because it was supposedly enjoyed in a hotel near the Paramount building. The lore is lighter on drama than most strains: no bankrupt breeders, no clone wars. Just a well-made kush that did exactly what kush is supposed to do, in the city that made coffeeshops a cultural export. Thirty years later it remains a reference point in the indica library, parent to countless modern crosses and still stocking menus worldwide.
Terpene breakdown
Myrcene1.5%
Caryophyllene0.9%
Humulene0.7%
Terpene shares from lab-tested samples (% of total terpene weight).
- Myrcene (1.5%): the relaxed, body-heavy base.
- Caryophyllene (0.9%): peppery, fuel-adjacent spice underneath.
- Humulene (0.7%): an earthy, hop-like edge.
Master Kush's dominant terp is Myrcene, and it leads the flavour on every inhale.
Growing Master Kush
Master Kush is an forgiving indoor plant: indica structure, medium height, and a flowering window around 8-9 weeks. It handles cooler temperatures reasonably well thanks to its Hindu Kush mountain heritage and rewards consistent feeding with dense, resin-heavy colas. The bud structure is classic kush - chunky, frosted, orange-pistiled - and the aroma through flower is pungent earth and spice, so filtration matters. Yields are solid rather than spectacular; the appeal has never been quantity, it is the reliability of the effect.
How to consume Master Kush
This is a 9pm strain by design. At 15-20% THC it is gentler than modern indicas, which makes it perfect for the slow unwind: a joint or pipe after dinner, movie on, limbs going heavy by the second act. The high is calm and contented with less mental fog than the sedation implies - conversation stays possible, just slower and funnier. Medical-leaning users have long reached for it for evenings with pain or insomnia. The only wrong time is the start of a productive day; Master Kush does not do errands.
Master Kush vs similar strains
Master Kush vs Hindu Kush: the landrace parent is purer and more directly sedating; Master Kush refines it with smoother flavour and a touch more head clarity. Master Kush vs Bubba Kush: the 90s descendant is sweeter, sleepier and more narcotic; Master Kush is the calmer, cleaner classic. Master Kush vs Platinum OG: the modern OG lane runs hotter THC and fuel terps; Master Kush stays earthy, spicy and gentle. It also sits in the family tree of Vanilla Frosting era dessert kushes - the bloodline runs deep.
Frequently asked questions
What is Master Kush?
Master Kush is an indica-dominant strain bred in Amsterdam by the White Label Seed Company from two Hindu Kush landrace parents. It won back-to-back Cannabis Cups in 1992-93 and remains a reference indica.
Is Master Kush indica or sativa?
Indica-dominant. Expect deep body relaxation and a calm, contented mindset - a classic evening strain.
What does Master Kush taste like?
Earthy, spicy pine with subtle citrus and a hashy sandalwood depth. Old-school kush flavour through and through.
How strong is Master Kush?
Typically 15-20% THC. Gentler than modern indicas but deeply relaxing - the effect builds slowly and lingers.
Why is it called Master Kush?
It earned the title the honest way: back-to-back Cannabis Cup wins in the early 90s made it the 'master' reference strain of the Amsterdam coffeeshop era, and the name stuck.
Storing Master Kush
Kush terps are the durable kind - the earthy, spicy base holds up far better than delicate fruit profiles, which is partly why 90s kush still tastes like 90s kush. Store in airtight glass, cool and dark, 58-62% humidity pack. The main enemy is overdrying: as the flower loses moisture, the hashy depth goes flat and the smoke gets harsh. Burp fresh jars, keep them out of heat and light, and Master Kush keeps its character longer than almost any modern strain.
VIRIDESCO - Master Kush RSO
Price range: $72 through $130
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