Before I launched Get Seeds Right Here, I already had roots in the cannabis world. And back in 2012, I got lucky.

That year, I was introduced to Chem Dog — not through weed, but through glass. He was still on federal probation at the time and couldn’t be tied to anything cannabis-related. I started helping him sell his glass art online. That was the beginning of a friendship that’s still alive today.

We weren’t just doing business — we were building trust. Over the years, I got to hear his story firsthand. And once you know the real history, you start to understand just how deep Chem Dog’s influence runs in the world of modern cannabis.

It All Started on Shakedown Street

It was June 1991, at a Grateful Dead show in Deer Creek, Indiana. Back then, the parking lot scene was where seeds, clones, and legends were traded.

That’s where Chem Dog the man picked up a $500 ounce of a strain called Dogbud. Later, a few more ounces got shipped to his spot in Western Massachusetts — and in one of them, he found 13 seeds.

From Dogbud to Chem Dog

The original crew called it Dog, but the taste was something else — strong, gassy, funky. Some called it Chemweed, others stuck with Dogbud. Chem combined the two, and Chem Dog was born.

When he got back from tour, he popped four of the 13 seeds. One was male and got tossed. The remaining three became:

• Chem Dog (now known as Chem 91)

• Chem Dog A (aka Chem’s Sister)

• Chem Dog B

The Chem 91 quickly gained a reputation. And whether or not the history books get it right, most people agree — Sour Diesel, OG Kush, and a huge chunk of the modern cannabis scene all trace back to these original cuts.

The Sour Diesel Era

In 1992, Chem linked up with a grower named Weasel at a Phish show in NYC. They swapped clones. Eventually, Chem’s acquaintance AJ (aka “Asshole Joe”) crossed Chem 91 with an unknown hermie from Weasel’s grow — creating a strain that became known as Sour Diesel.

It exploded in New York City, becoming the go-to strain for connoisseurs and hip-hop elites alike. $800–$1,000 ounces weren’t unusual. Delivery services blew up on the back of one thing: real Sour.

What About OG Kush?

Some say OG Kush came from a selfed Chem 91 seed that made its way to Lake Tahoe around 1994. Others say it was seeded Chem Dog buds sold at a Dead show in Tampa. The details are up for debate, but the resemblance is hard to ignore — OG Kush and Chem 91 are family.

More From the Vault

In 2001, Chem popped three more seeds from the original 13:

• Chem C

• Chem D (the keeper)

• Chem E

He didn’t stop there. Over the years, he bred out some serious heat:

• Bubble Chem (Chem’s Sister x Bubbleberry)

• Super Snowdog (Bubble Chem x [Superskunk x Oregon Sno])

• Giesel (Chem D x Mass Superskunk)

• Chem Haze (Chem D x NL #5 x Haze)

Chem Breaks Records

In 2015, Next Harvest entered a Chem Dog cut into the Colorado Cannabis Cup. Lab results came back at 32.13% THC — the highest ever tested at the event at the time. This wasn’t marketing fluff — it was real, lab-verified power.

The Raid and the Comeback

In 2011, Chem got raided. He lost his house, his car, and caught cultivation charges. While he laid low, the strains stayed alive thanks to some loyal growers. In 2014, IC Collective won Best Indica with Chem Scout at the NorCal Cup, keeping the Dog in the spotlight.

Dawgs of Today

JJ NYC of Top Dawg Seeds has helped push the Chem legacy forward with his own line of “Dawg” crosses:

• Tres Dawg (Chem D x Double Dawg)

• Star Dawg (Chem #4 x Tres Dawg)

• Black Dawg (Black Widow x Star Dawg)

JJ always gives credit where it’s due: “At the time, we had no idea we were dealing with one of the strongest strains on the planet.”

Where Chem Is Now

Today, Chem Dog is focused on glass blowing, influenced by his mentor Bob Snodgrass — follow him on IG at @chemdog_glass. He holds the Chem Dog trademark, is working on new genetics with IC Collective, and keeps showing up where it matters.

Final Thoughts

I got into this world because I believed in the plant — but what’s kept me here is the people. Chem Dog is more than a strain. It’s history, culture, and legacy — and I’m lucky to call the man behind it a friend.

If you’ve smoked Chem 91, Chem D, or Chem 4, you already know.

It’s not hype.
It’s just real.