A Kamloops city councillor has gone back on his plan to open a private retail cannabis store.

Denis Walsh says he decided earlier this year to not go ahead with that plan, saying legislation has been mishandled by the feds, the province and even local governments.

“Part of the problem too is, I realized this is going to take months, if not years or more, to get a license from the province. Because it’s so slow, they’re so backed up. And I know people who have been waiting a year, paying rent which can be up to anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 dollars a month for an empty building, waiting whether or not to be approved on their application from the province,” Walsh says.

“I thought it was a good business opportunity at the beginning, but I realize now the whole unraveling of the legalization has been totally mishandled… Too many stores, they’re too close together.”

Kamloops city council has supported 21 retail cannabis license applications; a recommendation to support a 22nd retail cannabis store will be at city council this afternoon.

Walsh has not taken part in any vote, citing a potential conflict of interest.

“Once I made a decision that I thought I was going to open up a retail store, then I was in a conflict of interest and I recused myself from all talks. And I still am to this day, because I still have an empty location that I’m a commercial property owner who is looking for a tenant. And that tenant could be a cannabis retail store.”