Raspberry Kush: The Berry Sedative
Raspberry Kush: The Berry Sedative
Strain Overview
Type: Indica-Dominant Hybrid (75% Indica / 25% Sativa)
Breeder: Unknown / Clone-Only Origin (Popularized in the Pacific Northwest and California)
Lineage: Raspberry Cough x Cheese (Most accepted lineage, though some debate exists involving Hindu Kush)
Market Status: The "Dessert Stone"; Raspberry Kush is an "Old School" legend that has stood the test of time. While modern strains chase extreme THC or bizarre candy flavors, Raspberry Kush remains a staple because it executes the fundamentals perfectly. It offers a genuine, jammy fruit flavor paired with a heavy, uncompromising Indica body high. It is the genetic grandmother of the famous Marionberry, passing down its signature dark berry terpenes and resinous density.
THC Content: Moderate to High (18% – 23%)
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene, Pinene
Key Effects: Deep Relaxation, Pain Relief, Sleepiness, "Happy" Sedation
Raspberry Kush is a nighttime treat.
It is soft, sweet, and comforting. It smells like a jar of raspberry jam left open in a pine forest. It lacks the aggressive, chemical bite of the "Diesel" family, opting instead for a smooth, creamy smoke that coats the mouth with berry sweetness before locking you to the couch.
History and Lineage: The Mysterious Berry
Like many legends from the pre-social media era, the exact origins of Raspberry Kush are debated, but the consensus points to a clash of fruit and funk.
The Mother (Raspberry Cough): The flavor. This strain is a cross of Cambodian Landrace x ICE. It is famous for its clear-headed Sativa high and distinct cough-syrup berry aroma. It provided the high-pitched fruit notes.
The Father (Cheese / Kush): The body. Most breeders agree that a Cheese or pure Kush variety was introduced to add bulk, density, and the sedative Indica effects that Raspberry Cough lacked. This introduced the creamy, savory undertones and the short flowering time.
The Synthesis: Raspberry Kush is the successful "Indica-fication" of a berry strain. It took the spindly, racy Raspberry Cough and turned it into a squat, heavy-hitting bush that smells like fruit but hits like a narcotic.
Terpene Profile: Berry Jam and Cream
The aroma of Raspberry Kush is one of the most pleasant in the cannabis world. It is sweet without being cloying.
Dominant Terpenes
Myrcene (The Fruit): The dominant terpene. It provides a heavy ripe raspberry, blackberry, and cherry aroma. It is also responsible for the "Couch Lock" effect.
Caryophyllene (The Spice): Adds a background note of peppery spice and earth. It grounds the fruitiness and prevents it from smelling like artificial candy.
Limonene (The Citrus): A subtle addition that brightens the profile, adding a hint of lemon zest to the jammy sweetness.
Pinene (The Earth): Inherited from the Kush lineage, adding a crisp pine forest finish that lingers on the exhale.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is rich and creamy. It smells of raspberry preserves, vanilla cream, earthy pine, and faint skunk.
The Smoke: Thick and velvet-smooth. It tastes of sweet berries and cream on the inhale, with a spicy, woody finish on the exhale.
Strain Effects: The Velvet Hammer
Raspberry Kush is not a "Productivity" strain. It is a "Recovery" strain.
The Experience
The Onset: The high begins with a euphoric, hazy head buzz. It wipes away stress and negativity almost instantly. You feel happy and unfocused.
The Stone: Very quickly, the physical effects take over. A heavy, warm sensation starts in the neck and spreads down to the toes. It creates a feeling of weightlessness.
The Lock: If you smoke enough, it leads to full couch lock. It is difficult to motivate yourself to do anything other than watch TV or listen to music.
The Sleep: It is a top-tier insomnia killer. The fade-out is gentle and naturally leads to deep, restful sleep.
Best For: Insomnia, chronic pain, muscle spasms, stress relief, and post-workout recovery.
Growing Raspberry Kush: The Compact Bush
This strain is a favorite for indoor growers with limited vertical space.
Growth Structure
The Stature: Short. This plant rarely exceeds 3 or 4 feet indoors. It grows wide and bushy with tight internodal spacing.
The Colors: Dark. In late flower, the leaves often turn dark green and violet, especially if temperatures drop at night. The buds are dense and often have purple hues.
The Yield: Moderate. It focuses on density rather than size. The buds are like rocks.
The Hardiness: It is mold resistant despite the density, making it a decent choice for cooler climates.
The Time: It finishes flowering fast, often in 8 to 9 weeks.
Grower’s Tip: Raspberry Kush loves to eat. It handles heavy nutrients well. Because it grows so bushy, defoliation is critical. Strip the large fan leaves in the center of the plant to ensure light hits the lower bud sites, or you will end up with "larf" (fluffy, undeveloped buds) at the bottom.
Similar Strains / Lineage Relations
If you enjoy the profile or growth of Raspberry Kush, you might also appreciate these three genetically related or similar strains:
Marionberry: The Daughter.
Why: As detailed in the previous review, Marionberry is the direct offspring of Raspberry Kush. Choose Marionberry if you want a slightly more "Sativa" influence (thanks to Space Queen) and a happier, more social high while keeping the berry flavor.
Blackberry Kush: The Sister.
Why: These two are often confused. Blackberry Kush is generally darker, muskier, and even more sedative (often crossed with Afghani). Choose Blackberry if you want pure, unadulterated sleep medicine.
Raspberry Cough: The Mother.
Why: If you love the specific raspberry flavor but hate the sleepy "couch lock" of the Kush, go back to the mother. Raspberry Cough offers a clear-headed, energetic Sativa high with the same great taste.
Final Verdict: The Berry Sedative
Raspberry Kush is comfort food. It doesn't try to shock you with 30% THC or blind you with neon colors. It simply offers one of the best flavor profiles in history—sweet, creamy berries—paired with a high that melts away pain and stress. It is a strain that feels like a warm hug at the end of a long day.
You should choose Raspberry Kush if:
You love Raspberry/Cream flavors.
You suffer from Insomnia or Pain.
You have limited vertical grow space.
You want a "classic" Indica stone.
Score: 9.3/10 (The Nighttime Classic)