City Manager, Mayor, and Council Members,

My name is Maisha Bahati, owner of Crystal Nugs in District 4. We were the fourth equity dispensary to open through Sacramento’s equity CORE program.

First, I would like to thank staff for recognizing the importance of protecting existing dispensaries when new sensitive uses move into an area after a business has already been approved and operating. That recommendation provides certainty for businesses that have invested significant time and resources into complying with the City’s process.

I am writing in support of maintaining a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) pathway.

Crystal Nugs went through the CUP process. It took approximately six months, required extensive community outreach, public notices, a public hearing, and cost nearly $40,000 before receiving approval.

During that process, we received approximately 33 letters of support and 7 letters of opposition. Concerns were raised that we would increase crime, attract homelessness, lower property values, create nuisance activity, and negatively impact the neighborhood. Those concerns were fully considered through the public hearing process.

Today, Crystal Nugs has over 4,000 Google reviews, employs 22 local residents, serves thousands of customers, and has become a positive part of Midtown. The concerns raised during our CUP process regarding crime, homelessness, property values, and neighborhood impacts simply did not materialize.

The reason I share that is because the CUP process worked. It allowed the planning commission to review the actual facts of our project, hear from the community, and make an informed decision.

If the City already has a process designed to evaluate projects on a case by case basis, why would we remove the ability to use that process when it matters most?

And if a business can demonstrate community support, meet all operating requirements, complete public hearings, and satisfy conditions of approval, shouldn’t there still be a pathway for consideration?

Not every location is the same, and I understand that cannabis businesses may not be appropriate in every community. That is exactly why the CUP process is so important. It allows the City to evaluate each application on its own merits, consider the unique characteristics of a location, hear directly from neighbors, and determine whether a project is a good fit based on facts rather than assumptions.

I respectfully ask the Council to preserve that pathway and continue supporting thoughtful case by case review.

Thank you for your consideration.