Cannabis is not something you would associate with a Santa Claus parade, yet that is exactly what the Six Nations Elected Council was discussing at their General Finance meeting on Monday November 20.

The topic arouse after it was announced under new business by newly elected Kerry Bomberry that a float in the Six Nations Santa Claus parade operated by a shop called “Off the Track” was reported to have handed out joints during the parade procession. 

Two councillors at the meeting, Carole Greene and Helen Miller gave personal accounts of people receiving cannabis products. However, the float also had numerous children dressed as dalmatians and it was unclear if the children themselves were handing out the cannabis. CKRZ attempted to contact Brandon Styres from Off the Track for a comment but had not heard back at the time of this report.

Councillor Greg Frazer who was chairing the meeting in absence of the Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill questioned the vendors thinking, saying "do they think before they enter a social event?" Councillor Dayle Bomberry asked about police involvement and  Councillor Hazel Johnson said charges should be laid, asking where was their common sense.

The discussion ended with requests for press statements to be released by the Elected Council, the Six Nations Cannabis Commission as well as the Parade organizers and a recommendation for all future Six Nations Community events to be “alcohol and recreational Cannabis free” as well as setting up community meetings to discuss this in greater detail.

(Disclosure: Journalist David Moses is a commissioner on the Six Nations Cannibis Commission. The business in question, Off the Track, is not licensed by the Commission).

Listen to the report below.