Avens O'Brien

Running For: Judicial Committee

About Avens O'Brien

I’ve been an active Libertarian since 2002, in response to the US govt’s War on Terror following 9/11. I grew up in a Libertarian household.

I’m probably known best for my photography in the movement alongside my partner (and former VP Candidate 2016) Judd Weiss. I’ve also been an active writer, activist, petition gatherer, policy writer and commentator within the movement for many years. I’ve worked on dozens of campaigns, everything from Mayor to President! These are further detailed here: https://lpedia.org/wiki/Avens_O%27Brien

I’m also an entrepreneur. I co-founded and run operations for a consumer-goods psychedelic company here in California called Advanced Mycology. We started in 2021, and since then our products have been sold in over 700 stores in all 50 states, I taught Mike Tyson how to grow magic mushrooms (on camera for promotional videos!), and I attend conferences and talk about drug legalization and entrepreneurism in that space as well. You can find my products/company at xumtrip.com.

Are you a dues paying, or life, member of the Libertarian Party?

Lifetime Member

What has your activism in the Libertarian Party been like?

It's been a blast! Honestly, this Party is like an extended family for me. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with incredible activists to make the most voluntary world possible.

Here's what I've been up to:

LP Activist since 2002
Life Member of LP National
Life Member of LP California
Life Member of LP Texas
Life Member of LP Indiana
LPNH Vice Chair 2006-2008
Judicial Committee LPLAC (2021, 2023-current)
Judicial Committee LPCA (2024-current)

Volunteered with (different responsibilities depending on campaign) :

2004 Badnarik Campaign
Several congressional and gubernatorial campaigns in NH in the mid-2000s (Babiarz!)
2008 Ron Paul Campaign
2008 LP National (collected petitions for Barr/Root for ballot access but was pissed about them so I won't claim I worked on the campaign)
2012 Gary Johnson Campaign
2016 John McAfee Campaign
2016 Gary Johnson Campaign
2020 Jo Jorgensen Campaign
2024 Chase Oliver Campaign

I've been a Speaker & Photographer at 20+ conventions (county & state & national), as well as several liberty conferences (Freedom Fest, Anarchapulco, Libertopia, SFL Liberty Con, etc) and numerous psychedelic conferences talking about ending prohibition.

Choose any case that the Judicial Committee has heard in the history of the Libertarian Party, most of which can be found here: LPedia.

What is your opinion of the conclusions of the Judicial Committee in that case?

In the 2025 case of RE: CONDUCTING OF ELECTRONIC LNC BUSINESS IN SECRET AND DELETION OF PAST LNC BUSINESS LIST (aka Robson v. LNC), my opinion would likely most echo the thoughts of Mr. Seebeck as presented in his Opinion, but with far fewer words. His reasoning was sound in both principle & bylaw compliance in favor of Robson.

Do not expect to provide that level of footnoting from me.

Is there anything else that would make you a good member of the Judicial Committee?

I'd be honored to have your vote.

I believe strongly in the purpose of an independent body that serves the bylaws (and by extension the convention delegates that voted for them) and operates as a check/balance to the actions of the LNC.

In my time on the LPCA Judicial Committee I've had to vote against my own personal preferences in order to serve the bylaws, and I take that responsibility seriously. I've also voted to refrain from hearing complaints that I believed weren't within our jurisdiction (even when I think the complaint would be valid in another context). I take these limitations to power seriously. I have no allegiance to any particular faction in my pursuit of this role on the National level - I serve the Party, like Varys served the Realm.

https://lpedia.org/wiki/Avens_O%27Brien