PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate 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.
