Maisha Bahati has made history as the first Black woman to own a cannabis dispensary in Sacramento, CA. On December 2nd, 2023, she opened the doors to her brick-and-mortar shop Crystal Nugs.
“We are the first Black woman-owned cannabis dispensary in Sacramento,” Bahati told ABC 10 at the opening. “We are also a locally owned and social equity dispensary in Sacramento through the cannabis, opportunity, reinvestment, and equity program.”
The new dispensary is located at 2300 J Street in midtown Sacramento. It’s open for business from 9AM to 9PM daily.
Crystal Nugs originally started as a delivery service back in 2019. But Bahati had always dreamed of taking her business to the next level with a physical retail location in her community.
Driven to Uplift and Inspire Black Entrepreneurs
For Bahati, opening the first Black woman-owned dispensary in Sacramento carries personal significance.
“Part of my excitement and adrenaline in this industry is that there are not a lot of Black-owned businesses here in the cannabis industry,” she told KCRA 3 earlier this year.
As a young, African-American entrepreneur, Bahati is driven to disrupt the status quo and inspire more Black business owners to enter the flourishing cannabis industry.
“I think a lot of people appreciate seeing a Black woman, a women-owned business out here striving in this industry,” Bahati says.
Clothing Brand Launch and Future Plans
In addition to cannabis products, Crystal Nugs customers can also shop Bahati’s new clothing line called Boujie Stoner Boutique.
The boutique features stylish robes and loungewear with marijuana-themed designs. Bahati sees tremendous potential for growth with both her dispensary and clothing brand.
Looking ahead, she plans to continue uplifting minority-owned and LGBTQ+ brands by featuring their products at Crystal Nugs.
“My goal is to continue to cater to Black-owned, minority women, and LGBTQ+ brands,” Bahati stated.
Utilizing Community Resources on Her Journey
Throughout her journey as a young entrepreneur, Bahati has leveraged helpful resources right in her hometown community.
For example, Crystal Nugs participates in Sacramento’s Cannabis Opportunity Reinvestment and Equity (CORE) program. The initiative helps people affected by past cannabis criminalization to now build legal, licensed businesses in the industry.
Bahati has also fostered a strong relationship with the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce. Its President & CEO Azizza Davis Goines applauded the dispensary opening.
“I want other small businesses and businesses that are just beginning their journey to understand what we can do to help them,” Goines told ABC 10.
Crystal Nugs Brings Increased Access and Opportunity
With recreational cannabis now legal in California, the opening of Crystal Nugs brings increased access and opportunity to Sacramento’s urban community.
The dispensary’s central location makes it convenient for midtown residents and visitors to shop. And its late 9PM closing time accommodates people coming in after work too.
As Sacramento’s first Black female dispensary owner, Bahati also sets an important example. She shows that anyone with passion and persistence can claim their share of the flourishing legal cannabis market.
Bahati sums it up best herself – “We’ve been blessed. We’ve gotten a lot of milestones in there.”
After years of hard work, her milestone achievement as a cannabis trailblazer is sure to inspire the next generation of young entrepreneurs in Sacramento and beyond.
