When the Santa Claus Parade rolls through Montreal on November 17th, Christmas trees may not be the only thing being lit up on St. Catherine St.
Prior to recreational marijuana being legalized in Canada, the City of Montreal decided to allow smoking in public places that are not within a certain distance of a park, playground or school.
Considering the parade route runs along a downtown artery, and not in front of a park, playground or school, it will be perfectly legal for anyone to spark up a joint as they wave to Ol' Saint Nick.
During the most recent City Council meeting, city councillor Abdelhaq Sari asked the Plante Administration about the issue and was not impressed with the response.
Sari said executive committee member Rosannie Filato originally said yes, cannabis smoking would be allowed at the parade, only to have the Mayor later say no, it won't be and that her team would look to ban smoking marijuana on a case by case basis.
"When I asked for the list of events where cannabis would be banned, I was finally told that it would be up to the boroughs to ban its consumption," Sari said in a statement. "So in the end, parents still have no idea if cannabis will be allowed at children's events, such as the Santa Claus Parade."
Individual boroughs have the power to ban things that could be considered a nuisance, like smoking cannabis, for specific events.
No official decision has been made about a ban at the parade.