Santa Claus angered the North Pole to ban cannabis

When marijuana was legalized throughout North America, the North Pole became embroiled in fighting.

Canada and much of the United States have legalized cannabis. The results have been improved medical options, a drop in alcohol consumption, a reduction in youth use, and some more relaxed people. But the road to this point has been rough. Opponents have spread misinformation and slowed the process. Even the current administration is lax in its approach. Patients who use medical marijuana will tell you about the benefits in treating chronic pain, cancer, insomnia, inflammation, and more. Veterans now have access to treatments proven to help with PTSD. It's been a struggle, but in one case, Santa is saving Christmas for marijuana fans.

Thomas O'Connor officially changed his name to Santa Claus in 2005 and is a monk, child protection activist and city council member. He is also a cancer patient and a medical marijuana user. He lives in North Pole, Alaska, where cannabis use was originally illegal.

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North Pole, Alaska, a small suburb of Fairbanks, is known for its year-round Christmas decorations, including candy cane-striped street lamps. Santa Claus House is a Christmas shop whose walls are covered with children's letters to Santa and which has a giant Santa statue outside. Streets have names like Kris Kringle Drive and Mistletoe Lane. In 2016, the local city council voted to ban marijuana businesses within city limits. But they didn't talk to North Pole's official leader, Santa Claus.

Screenshot via WCMH When it happened (and The Fresh Toast reported on it), Santa told Alaska's KTUU, “I believe in this specific case they have not embraced the spirit of love. I believe what they are doing is stirring up hatred that is born out of fear.”

But you don't become Santa without good will, determination and drive. Santa worked with the city and the council and managed to kill the proposal. There are now three cannabis dispensaries in the area.

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And Santa? He continues his work for the benefit of children and is the mayor pro tempore of North Pole starting in 2022. Unfortunately, Santa still suffers from cancer and continues to be a patient who uses medical marijuana. We hope that more research will end up in his stocking this year to provide help and relief for him and the millions of patients who would benefit.