Since this story just keeps getting weirder and weirder, I’m going to arrange this post like the OC Weekly’s Navel Gazing Blog does, with the latest update at the top. ERGO: If the story is new to you, start at the bottom!
UPDATE 4, Monday night:
Genesis of the mysterious press release.
The KOCI employee who sent me the e-mail early this morning, claiming that Martinez wrote the ostensible KOCI press release but that it was factual, is Milo Schiff. Martinez and I were reluctant to name him as Milo was obviously fearful for his job, but that cat is out of the bag.
I think I’ve figured out now how this mysterious press release came to pass. As outraged by what happened in the station yesterday as the host and guests were, Milo offered to draft a press release for Martinez explaining events, and later sent it to him (and Sue Lester.) Apparently Milo DID NOT INTEND for this to be presented as a press release from KOCI, but the draft of a press release from Martinez. But Sue immediately put it on Facebook as a KOCI press release, putting poor Milo in a very awkward spot.
Still, the story detailed in the press release comports with everything I’ve heard with witnesses there: pressure from members of the CM Chamber of Commerce and Council, and worry over the FBI and license loss, led to the termination of the show.
Lobdell jumps in, and KOCI devises yet a THIRD story!
Remember, in Pulp Fiction, the Harvey Keitel character named The Wolf, who gets called in to fix ANY difficult situation and does a real smooth job of it? Well, Costa Mesa’s Information Minister Bill Lobdell is Goat Hill’s version of the Wolf, but I really question his skill in this particular situation.
Brought in, as far as I can tell, to help KOCI management get its story straight and disentangle all Costa Mesa bigwigs from the imbroglio – in itself a suspicious development – Lobdell counterintuitively now has them telling a completely different story from what they told the Register 24 hours earlier.
Yesterday KOCI’s story was that they’d cancelled the program because they wanted to avoid “controversy,” and any association with a bad guy like Bob Martinez who’d had his dispensary shut down. TODAY their story is this: Martinez had led them to believe he didn’t have the $2000 that it costs to put on this show each month, so they went ahead and cancelled it. (Unbeknownst to him.)
In point of fact, Martinez showed up at the usual time, with his check, ready to do his show, which was within minutes of airing when they yanked him off for whatever their real reason was. But if this thing about the money confusion was true, why didn’t they mention anything about that to the Register, or (now) the Daily Pilot? Something stinks here, when people make up too many stories.
And why is Information Minister Lobdell involved anyway? There’s something going on here that we haven’t figured out yet, and maybe the readers can help! Consider the close chronology: “Cannabis Community” is broadcast live from Mayor Monahan’s pub, and the Mayor gives a ringing endorsement to the industry. Days later, Feds raid dispensaries at machine-gun point and send threatening letters to dozens of others. The next episode of “Cannabis Community” is yanked off the air at the last moment, for reasons that don’t add up, before Martinez and his guests can have a chance to talk on air about these other developments.
Add to all that, the hard-up Mayor’s sudden discovery of nearly 300 grand to buy out his restaurant partners in December – oh, we haven’t mentioned that yet, have we?
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* Update 3, Monday morning, 10AM:
I’ve just received a curious e-mail from someone at KOCI, who identifies himself only by first name, and emphasizes that he’s “been asked by KOCI management not to answer questions about the conversation” at the station regarding the controversy. He tells us that:
- That press release was actually written by Martinez, with this anonymous person’s input – so it is NOT an official KOCI press release. [Martinez denies writing it.] AND ON THE OTHER HAND:
- He can “verify that I personally heard Barry Jorgensen make the claims that appear” in the press release – so even if the press release is not official it is factual. And he provides the names of other witnesses who were there.
So … why all the controversy and secrecy? Why is this guy being warned not to talk about it? What’s being protected – the reputations of meddling, censoring, Costa Mesa officials, or the reputation of cowardly caving KOCI?
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Update 2 – Back Story:
Robert Martinez, an Army veteran, medic and nurse in Operation Desert Shield, ran one of Costa Mesa’s original and most respected dispensaries, the Newport Mesa Patients’ Association. A stickler for the rules, he followed them to the tee, and was the first to be shut down in the rash of Federal raids. He takes pride in the fact that, since he followed all state laws and regulations, his twenty employees, who had been paying taxes and supporting the local economy, are now receiving unemployment benefits.
For the last year – until yesterday, Sunday Feb. 5 – he had also run the popular weekly KOCI program “Cannabis Community.” The program focused on the benefits of medical cannabis, featuring discussions with patients, lawyers, members of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), and Judge Jim Gray. The show presented data, facts. One recent episode was broadcast from Skosh Monahan’s, the Irish pub belonging to Costa Mesa Mayor Gary “Skosh” Monahan, an avid supporter of medical marijuana.
Wait a second – did we hear that right? Yes. The haggard, diminutive leprechaun Mayor has been one of medical marijuana’s greatest supporters (along with Costa Mesa’s deranged Congressman and Costa Mesa resident Dana Rohrabacher.) As the Pot Stirrer reported recently, Mayor Monahan not only hosted the “pro-cannabis radio program at his gin mill,” he
…openly speaks out in favor of legalizing [dispensaries] in our city. It’s no wonder when at least one of those operators recently raided has expressed a loss of faith in humanity. I suppose one could understand his view, considering that he’s been snuggled up to local politicians for a couple years and feeding their election campaigns with contributions… In fact, one dispensary located at the building [previously mentioned] posted a notice on its door indicating that folks who attended the event at Monahan’s bar could bring a receipt and receive a “free house joint”, and that if you contribute $20.00 or more to Monahan’s re-election campaign the dispensary will give you a $20.00 credit.
Yet, we hear that it is the Republican Costa Mesa Council, of which Monahan is the titular head, that has been inviting the Feds in to raid these businesses and cleanse the town of them. What is going on here? This is worth further looking in to! Is this a case of:
- A rift, on the Costa Mesa right, between prohibitionists and libertarians?
- Or just typical politicians saying one thing and doing another?
I’m going to get to the bottom of this!
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Update 1, Late Sunday afternoon:
The Register’s version of this story is out now (we had the scoop, natch.) And KOCI management, in the person of General Manager Brent Kahlen, is spinning like a top. Their new story is that there has been no pressure from politicians or the Feds. Their new story is that they made their own decision themselves because the topic of the show, medical marijuana, is “controversial” – what a crock! So, according to management, a ” non-profit, community radio station” should “remain neutral” on controversial topics NOT by presenting both sides, but by AVOIDING THOSE TOPICS ENTIRELY. That is just to barf at.
Flailing, Kahlen also tries blaming the decision on the show’s host, Army vet and medic Robert Martinez, and the fact that his Newport Mesa Patients’ Association was recently shut down by the Feds:
“In light of Martinez’s difficulties with federal authorities in recent weeks, KOCI management felt it was in the community interest that the radio station no longer broadcast the ‘Cannabis Community,'” Kahlen wrote [in an e-mail to the Reg.]
Talk about weak-kneed! But I have two witnesses – host Martinez and guest Lester – who clearly heard all of the above – that the decision was due to pressure from Costa Mesa City Council and Chamber of Commerce, fear of an FBI investigation, and fear of losing the station’s license this year. Not only that – the press release below is a real press release from the station, which they are now disowning, but we have a copy with their data and time stamp on it.
Why is KOCI management changing its story now? Who or what is KOCI management afraid of?
- Are they afraid of the politicians and Feds named above?
- Or are they afraid of the public knowing that they caved to that sort of pressure?
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Original post.
Just in from KOCI* this afternoon:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECosta Mesa, February 5, 2012 — The popular “Cannabis Community” radio show, hosted by Robert Martinez, on KOCI LP-FM, Newport Beach, was canceled without warning by station manager Brent Kahlen at the request of the FBI.
The FBI has been investigating the radio station because of the medical marijuana radio show and at the end of this week told the community radio station to remove the show from the air, according to Barry Jorgensen, attorney for the radio station. Jorgensen claimed that the federal involvement was the result of requests from the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and the Costa Mesa city council.
Martinez was not informed of the decision until seven minutes before the scheduled 11 a.m. Sunday start of his radio show.
Jorgensen initially claimed that the show could continue at an early morning time slot, but without any on-air or web site publicity, but Kahlen completely canceled the show.
Martinez was president of the recently closed Newport Mesa Patients Association, Costa Mesa, which was shut down along with all other Costa Mesa medical marijuana dispensaries late January 2012 in response to a letter from the U. S Attorney’s Office.
Former dispensary operator and Costa Mesa Council candidate Sue Lester, who was waiting in the studio to appear as a guest on the program, overheard KOCI staff mention that “a member of the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce threatened that IF the show be allowed to air Federal Government intervention would prevent the public station from renewing their license with the FCC which is up for renewal this year.”
More to come shortly…
KOCI should not acquiesce to such brazen attacks on the rights of the people.
I sincerely hope that KOCI radio will be forthcoming with what has happened over the last week and seek protection from treatment that violates the first amendment They are SCARED! They are afraid that their license renewal with the FCC will be denied. I am making these statements based on what members of KOCI said in my presence. I was in the studio when this conversation took place as was Robert Martinez and others. I will speak up on their behalf even if they will not. WE as citizens should all be outraged and concerned that this is happening. If it happens to someone, it can happen to anyone! This type of manipulation and censorship is illegal. Someone must be held accountable.
Total bullshit. The Bush/Obama Police State hard at work.
True that, but I’m also trying to figure out – why in Costa Mesa?
Not being a user, and constantly hearing about the troubles of CM dispensaries, I had started to assume that most OC dispensaries have been in CM due to lax business regulations or something. Not so, Martiinez tells me. Compared to 40-something that have been in CM till recently, there are 50-something in Garden Grove, and 100 in Santa Ana, just to start with, and you don’t hear about these crackdowns there.
Costa Mesa politicians and businesses are inviting the Feds in there. One doesn’t generally think of the Baugh/Righeimer cabal as part of the Obama Police State but maybe it’s time to.
I see the ones in Santa Ana closed all the time, new ones open down the street.
Since these are suppose to be non-profits, I looked up to see the huge lists of new non-profits to check their financials.
If they had the financials listed as required, then it could be assumed that these are honest people trying to provide a needed medical service. There are no new listing or even old listing for these non-profits.
Classic example of a criminal enterprise, drug pushers don’t do paper work, pay the taxes, or comply with the law they are hiding behind.
“drug pushers don’t do paper work, pay the taxes, or comply with the law they are hiding behind.”
And you can thank Richard Nixon and Congress for passing and signing the 1970 Controlled Substances Act into law for enabling this type of behavior. The real criminals are the prohibitionists and the Drug Warriors.
FYI. Drug dealers don’t ID.
Judge Gray, Kandice Hawes (OC Norml) and myself were recently on this show. I would suggest a call in/write in campaign ala Komen!
Feel free to email or call them to voice your displeasure!
Office: 949.675.5778
Email: kociradio@gmail.com
It is with great sadness that I comment it has never been my intention to create problems for anyone. I have only wished to help people and encourage dialogue about a plant that helps People. I have only told the truth about Cannabis. If we as a society were to look at the Story of Cannabis we would all know that the Government has been Lying to us since the late 1930s. If you search Frances Young who was the Chief administrative law judge for the DEA he went through weeks of Hearings and Testimony and at the conclusion Recommended that The Government Reclassify and lift the Ban on this Plant. This quote is from Frances Young
“In strict medical terms marijuana is far safer than many foods we commonly consume. For example, eating 10 raw potatoes can result in a toxic response. By comparison, it is physically impossible to eat enough marijuana to induce death. Marijuana in its natural form is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within the supervised routine of medical care.
[DEA Administrative Law Judge – 1988]”
― Francis Young
Please be informed do not believe the lies open your Hearts and Minds and see for yourself.
I have been a Hospice Nurse and I have held the hands of many people who found relief in the end stages of life with this Plant it is my Duty to share with my Community about the benefits. The fact which you should all know is that the Same Government who says their is no benefit holds the Patent on The Neuroprotective benefits of Cannabis.
Safer than alcohol and a lot of prescription medications that get the stamp of approval from the FDA.
For the price of a small OC apartment building we could legalize marijuana in California, and relieve the feds of their authority here. Regulate Marijuana Like Wine legalizes Marijuana, provides a familiar and time proven method for keeping adult discretionary activity away from children, and it SOLVES the federal problem with medical marijuana.
Help invest in California, we could revitalize our economy with a new Billion Dollar, provided hundreds of millions of dollars in sales taxes without creating new ones, fund schools and police, end prohibition and start treating the issue like adults.
What are you waiting for? Donate today!
http://www.regulatemarijuanalikewine.com/donate
I thought dana R lived in Huntington Beach by the lake street park. did he move?
Yes. A long time ago. Now he lives in Costa Mesa, Ground Zero of the War against Immigrants, Workers, and Pot Dispensaries.
So who’s the go-to local attorney for dispensaries in these parts?
Was Barry Jorgensen not supposed to talk about “the federal involvement that was the result of requests from the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and the Costa Mesa city council.” Was he, um, reminded of this by someone? And: $300,000, really?
Something stinks here, and the smell is neither herbal nor sweet.
The station’s lack of professionalism is disappointing. Cancelling a program that has been on-air for six months within minutes of air time because the station was concerned with the payment of the program is unacceptable. If there was a concern with this issue, communication in advance is how professionals conduct themselves.
It is no wonder that concepts such as underhanded politics swim within the motives behind KOCI’s actions.
We are not in a third world country. KOCI is a disgrace to the 1st Amendment of our constitution having been entrusted with supporting that right, we have freedom of speech in the USA and they have clearly violated that trust.
Agree – and it had been a year, not six months!
Bob tells me he’d helped build up the audience for the station in general, in a big way. And now they throw him under the bus … and I don’t think we really know exactly why yet.
Please write the show, Cheri Sicard spoke to them, they are looking for letters f support for Robert & the show. You can see her post on my FB page.
You can listen to archives of The Cannabis Community Show here: gocca.org.