SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On April 20, widely known as 4/20, people across Sacramento are celebrating cannabis culture. But in the city, the conversation is also focused on where people can legally use it.

While cannabis lounges are allowed under California law, City of Sacramento has yet to finalize rules to permit them locally, leaving businesses and customers waiting.

Inside a Midtown dispensary, an empty room reflects that delay. The space, owned by Crystal Nugs CEO Maisha Bahati, has sat unused for years as she waits for city approval.

“This is about 1,470 square feet, I think 1,500 is the maximum Sacramento will allow,” Bahati said.

Bahati said she feels optimistic after multiple attempts to move the proposal forward.

“Feeling pretty good about this third time that is going to hopefully push through,” she said.

Cannabis lounges, similar to Amsterdam-style cafes, would allow customers to legally consume cannabis on-site, potentially alongside food, drinks and live entertainment. They are already operating in cities including San Francisco and Oakland, but Sacramento leaders have not finalized how they would work locally.

Bahati said recent discussions with the city have shifted toward safety concerns, including overconsumption and employee protection.

“HVAC is going to be the heartbeat of this and ensuring that there is no smoke that is leaving this building or going to any other area in the store,” she said.

Plans for the space include added safety measures, such as updated ventilation systems and sprinklers.

“We are going to build it out, we are adding sprinklers. We are going to be adding a section where it’s low pressure for employees. So if you are an employees, there is air flow going in. We don’t want employees necessarily directly in the line of smoke,” Bahati said.

Supporters say lounges could provide a regulated space for people who cannot consume cannabis at home.

“It’d be nice for him to be able to go in and sit down somewhere rather than have to be outside all the time,” said Sacramento resident Susan Myers.

Others say the model could mirror existing spaces where alcohol is consumed.

“I know there is a lot of argument with people being intoxicated in public and that type of thing Look at bars. I think that it’s an opportunity that the city could benefit from,” said Sacramento resident Airen Patterson.

But some public health advocates are raising concerns about safety and potential impacts on children.

“Armed guards are also a legitimate concern, it is outrageous to down play the risk, if we business requires guns on site, it has no business being placed near children period,” said a person during public comment at November 18th, 2025 meeting.

After years of planning, Bahati said both the proposal and the industry have evolved.

“I think we have come to a middle ground,” she said.

The city did not respond to a request for comment. Bahati said she is now hearing the proposal could go before the Sacramento City Council as soon as next Tuesday, April 28.

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