Richard Ellis Spurrier who was arrested for handing out marijuana to passers-by as 'Christmas presents'

A 67-year-old man was arrested after he was seen handing out marijuana to passers-by as 'Christmas presents'.

Richard Ellis Spurrier was stopped by officers in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, as he had been dishing out narcotics to people in the street, police said.

According to his arrest affidavit, Spurrier was giving out cannabis 'because it was Christmas', he told officers.

Spurrier had 45 grams of marijuana on him and was handing it out to people as they passed by, police said.

Cops also noticed he had bits of cannabis hanging off his right shirt sleeve, police documents state.

Spurrier was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, according to WFLA.

Officers said they found a hidden sword in Spurrier's cane when they arrested him along with a prescription bottle with his name on it.

A purple glass pipe and a black digital scale, both with marijuana residue on them were also found when police searched Spurrier.

Spurrier has since been released from the Pinellas County Jail.