Main fundraiser photo

Education Advocates Arrested + LCB Stole Our RV

Donation protected
“Weed Need our Freedoms Restored” 
E.D.A.B.S. (Educate.Designate.And.Be.Smart.
Responsible use, Dab & Discuss Bus ! 

For those that I haven’t had the pleasure to connect with in life, my name is Levi Lyon. I’ve owned LyonPrideMusic since 2009 and began volunteering with Seattle Hempfest in 2005 as Entertainment Director. I first became an advocate for safe driving after my friend passed from drinking, drug’n & driving. In remembrance, I’ve always volunteered to be the designated driver amongst my friends. I bought my first “PartyBus” in 2010 to help educate, inculcate, and cultivate awareness by ways of celebration and event planning. I always strive for positivity, passion in the task at hand and consider myself a humanitarian. 

The Press Release: 

On November 23, 2019 the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board performed a raid on a Disc Golf Food and Clothing Drive charity event produced by Lyon Pride Music, seizing our Recreational Vehicle. Undercover LCB officers made contact with the event organizers and requested a place to smoke marijuana. They were allowed to enter the RV where they were offered a “dab hit.” At that time they revealed they were law enforcement officers and placed the organizers under arrest. The raid included a scene of at least eight officers assisting with and arresting Levi & Courtland with delivery of marijuana, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance (dabs), and conducting or maintaining a marijuana club. The company was using the RV as shelter for staff, friends, and family during the production of the event, storing valuables and acting as a break room. 

“We always welcome our guests a safe, warm place to relax and the RV was a refuge from the weather on that very cold day,” says Levi Lyon, owner of the event planning business. 

Lyon maintains that under the current laws Washingtonians and those visiting the state can legally purchase marijuana but many have no place to legally imbibe. Lyon claims that “some renters, those in subsidized housing, the homeless, and tourists visiting our state can buy pot but cannot imbibe it under state law”. We spent all summer building this disc golf course to serve our community and feel that this is a misuse of LCB resources. The marijuana was within the legal limit for possession, the vehicle was parked on private property, and any use was out of public view,” adds Lyon. A second Lyon Pride Vehicle was later seized. Arguing that the RV provided a safe alternative to public consumption Lyon believes that the arrest and confiscations are contrary to the public interest. “There is no victim to this crime,” he maintains. “We were parked, out of view, and acting in private,” says Lyon. 

Levi Lyon is available for interview at the contact info below. He is asking for community support as he works to increase safe access opportunities for those who wish to legally imbibe marijuana, and wants to hear from others that might have been unlawfully ticketed for public consumption or feel they have been mistreated by LCB. 


Courtland Crabtree: 
What was it like getting arrested by LCB?

 It was traumatic. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the emotions I’m feeling. We were hosting a food and clothing drive for the community. A disc golf tournament with our friends and family is a healthy social bonding activity. My 8 yr old daughter was there collecting donations and running a hot chocolate stand. To be arrested in front of others like that when we were doing something positive for the community seems outrageous. The weeks following resorted in being prescribed medications for anxiety, depression, bipolar and to help with insomnia. I was scheduled to start computer classes trough Goodwill training in January but the LCB took my computer. I am just emotionally unstable and scared to leave the security of my house. I’m now seeking a therapist and going to group counseling. The past few months have been a struggle to keep a job and get to regular appointments. It’s just been outright traumatic for me. My birth certificate and social security card were in my work bag along with my business license and other important documents.  Documents I need in order to get a job and make a living.  We had been staying in our bus and had our personal hygiene products on it. As well our bedding, winter jackets and shoes that we can’t afford to replace.  It’s been a struggle trying to wrap my head around all this and explain to my 8 yr old daughter why our stuff was taken from us!

The damage has been done! 
Our families ecosystem has completely crumbled since the LCB invasion! 

Please help us prepare for the rocky ride ahead as we fight for our civil liberties (Our Right to Peacefully Assemble), (Protection from Unreasonable Searches and Seizures), (Protection of Rights to Life, Liberty, and Property).  LyonPrideMusic has just recently been forced into bankruptcy because of the matters at hand. The house payments are behind and expect to have $30k-$50k in lawyer fees moving forward. I can only hope we are able to stand and put a stop to cannabis culture discrimination. We must band together and help the state understand our kindness and connection to the earth. Our spiritual and artistic connection to each other when we consume. We need clarity in our law and I demand our that the cannabis community receives the same freedoms or protections as any other society. Heroine addicts have safe injection sites, why can’t the cannabis community have safe consumption zones. The state is double dipping with a 37% tax on top of ticketing consumers and license holders, they’ve done a nano-job educating the public on the dangers of DUI, and nearly zero awareness about the laws related. The controversy and discrepancies amongst LCB officers includes the states inconsistent interpretation of the law. Why is the state continuing to bust citizens for pot? I ask anyone reading this rant and our CALL FOR HELP to support the fight and to create justice for our cannabis community (BUDTENDERS, GROWERS, SHOP OWNERS & ANCILLARY BUSINESSES), this effects us ALL please contribute by sharing this message and make a donation if possible :).
Donate

Donations 

  • D Steven Ledingham
    • $10 
    • 7 mos
  • Dennis Freeman
    • $250 
    • 2 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $500 
    • 2 yrs
  • najah todd
    • $50 
    • 2 yrs
  • Vanessa emery
    • $20 
    • 2 yrs
Donate

Organizer

Levi Lyon
Organizer
Tacoma, WA

Begin your fundraising journey

Create a fundraiser for any person, cause, or nonprofit - it's free and every cause matters.

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.