How Desperate Is Gary Monahan?
THE QUESTION OF THE DAY
Just how desperate is Gary Monahan to get re-elected to his council seat next fall? I think that question answered itself today.
HOSTING A POT RALLY
Today, Sunday, January 8, 2012, our Mayor will host a rally from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at his gin mill, Skosh Monahan's, apparently in support of the many medical marijuana dispensaries that infest Costa Mesa these days.
KOCI 101.5 FM TO BROADCAST
Local radio station KOCI 101.5 FM will apparently be broadcasting live beginning at 11 a.m.
FUND RAISER, TOO
This event is apparently a fund raiser for Monahan's campaign, too. Here's an image that was displayed on the door of one of the local pot dispensaries in town, LiveWell Cooperative Caregivers, 440 Fair Drive. In case you're having a hard time reading the text, this is what it says:
Come join us in support of the Mayor of Costa Mesa as he officially joins the campaign to stop the federal government from cracking down on the rights of the medicinal cannabis users in California. he will be holding a rally at Skosh Monahan's, located at 2000 Newport Blvd. #C Costa Mesa, CA 92627 on Sunday January 8, 2012 from 10am - 2pm. KOCI 101.5FM will be broadcasting live, and the Livewell team will be there also. Present any receipt From Skosh's from that day and receive a free house joint. Also, if you make a $20 or more donation to the Mayor's campaign, you will receive a $20 Livewell credit. We need as many people as possible to join in the fight to ensure our rights as Californians to obtain our medicine legally. Hope to see all of our patients attend the event.
Team Livewell
LAWS ARE A MESS...
Personally, I'm not a supporter of marijuana sales, medicinal or otherwise, in our city. I know the State and Federal laws on this subject are a muddle these days and I also know there has been uneven enforcement of them in Costa Mesa. Still, I'm appalled that our Mayor has chosen to be a party - pun intended - to this kind of a fund raiser. He had already lost my vote with his despicable behavior last St. Patrick's Day, but if there was even a smidgen of doubt in my mind, this eliminated it for me.
A NEW "SMOKE-FILLED ROOM"
We know he and Jim Righeimer used the friendly confines of Skosh
Monahan's to hold their two-person meetings last year when they cobbled together their bogus outsourcing plans, but this event changes the definition of the old phrase, "smoke-filled room".
HOW DO YOU FEEL?
I find myself wondering how you feel about this? Even more important, perhaps Monahan would like to know. You can send him an email at: Gary.Monahan@costamesaca.gov . I'm sure he'll be happy to hear from you.
Just how desperate is Gary Monahan to get re-elected to his council seat next fall? I think that question answered itself today.HOSTING A POT RALLY
Today, Sunday, January 8, 2012, our Mayor will host a rally from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at his gin mill, Skosh Monahan's, apparently in support of the many medical marijuana dispensaries that infest Costa Mesa these days.
KOCI 101.5 FM TO BROADCAST
Local radio station KOCI 101.5 FM will apparently be broadcasting live beginning at 11 a.m.
FUND RAISER, TOO
This event is apparently a fund raiser for Monahan's campaign, too. Here's an image that was displayed on the door of one of the local pot dispensaries in town, LiveWell Cooperative Caregivers, 440 Fair Drive. In case you're having a hard time reading the text, this is what it says:
Come join us in support of the Mayor of Costa Mesa as he officially joins the campaign to stop the federal government from cracking down on the rights of the medicinal cannabis users in California. he will be holding a rally at Skosh Monahan's, located at 2000 Newport Blvd. #C Costa Mesa, CA 92627 on Sunday January 8, 2012 from 10am - 2pm. KOCI 101.5FM will be broadcasting live, and the Livewell team will be there also. Present any receipt From Skosh's from that day and receive a free house joint. Also, if you make a $20 or more donation to the Mayor's campaign, you will receive a $20 Livewell credit. We need as many people as possible to join in the fight to ensure our rights as Californians to obtain our medicine legally. Hope to see all of our patients attend the event.
Team Livewell
LAWS ARE A MESS...
Personally, I'm not a supporter of marijuana sales, medicinal or otherwise, in our city. I know the State and Federal laws on this subject are a muddle these days and I also know there has been uneven enforcement of them in Costa Mesa. Still, I'm appalled that our Mayor has chosen to be a party - pun intended - to this kind of a fund raiser. He had already lost my vote with his despicable behavior last St. Patrick's Day, but if there was even a smidgen of doubt in my mind, this eliminated it for me.A NEW "SMOKE-FILLED ROOM"
We know he and Jim Righeimer used the friendly confines of Skosh
Monahan's to hold their two-person meetings last year when they cobbled together their bogus outsourcing plans, but this event changes the definition of the old phrase, "smoke-filled room".HOW DO YOU FEEL?
I find myself wondering how you feel about this? Even more important, perhaps Monahan would like to know. You can send him an email at: Gary.Monahan@costamesaca.gov . I'm sure he'll be happy to hear from you.Labels: Gary Monahan, Medical Marijuana
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 1/08/2012 10:50:00 AM
41 Comments:
Go Gary go! About time a City took leadership on this. I know lots of Costa Mesans who will support this. Good for him!
A few years back when the council voted to outlaw medical mj dispensaries in Costa Mesa, was Gary on the council and how did he vote?
Just wondering if this is yet another flip flop by our kilt wearing pretend mayor. And more importantly....how does Riggy feel about this? A divide in the ranks ?
It makes perfect sense. Dana Rohrabacher recently signed a letter to the Obama Admin asking them to halt actions on MMJ in california.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/30/medical-marijuana-crackdown-house-representatives-letter_n_1065354.html
http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2011/05/dana_rohrabacher_co-sponsors_b.php
I wonder if council suckup Jeff Byrne will be there.
Hey Gary! Why not hire back some real police, rather than scaling back. And start cracking down on some nifty thieves hitting cars in our streets now on a regular basis.
The greed of the 1% never ceases. Besides dealing with vandals and thieves in our streets, their puppets are also in our council chambers.
We know why Gary is desperate to maintain his family's health benefits and his CalPERS defined retirement benefits. Do not think Medical MJ is covered under their policies. As the father of numerous children, think he better think twice about availability of a substance what is currently federally illegal. Whether MJ is medically valuable or viabale is still under question. He also lost my vote long ago.
The government shouldn't decide what does or does not go into our bodies. Cannabis is a legit medication. As far as recreational use goes, it's safer than alcohol. As far as paper goes, it's much better than tearing down our forests. As far as a textile goes, it's one of the strongest fibers on earth. As far as food goes, it has one of the best plant based omega 3 to 6 ratios around. There are strains now that provide all of the benefits without getting high. Plus, you can even juice the leaves like wheat grass and get the legendary anti-inflammatory benefits from it. It should never have been made illegal to begin with. If a joint once in a while does the trick for a headache or backpain or anxiety, why would you want to take synthetic products codeine or xanax instead? To each their own. I actually don't use cannabis on a regular basis but want the option! I don't need the government to tell me how to live. Save that for the commies who want their government to live their life for them.
So.. Our Mayor is "desperate" because he hosted a live radio show from his rest/bar on Sunday Morning featuring a hot button topic which included all the key players... including but not limited to Judge Jim Gray, Attorney Anthony Curiale who is currently suing the city as well as many others, and a local dispensary owner???? Our mayor was honest and frank. Anyone listening could hear that for themselves. This show is about information regarding MMJ.. For the Mayor to host it is just plain old fashioned political savy. If you don't like it... well, I know a club you can join to ease the pain. :)
Ps. Geoff, careful when you tread on 'weed' you have no idea which friends of yours you are disrespecting when you do. Not everyone is going to stand up and say MMJ has been helping them cope with the nightmares from Coach Sandusky or the trama and PTSD from a FAKE WAR... Seriously.. have you no respect for freedom and liberty? My door is open to you to analyze my entire operation when you choose to do so. Maybe you will find something that the district attorney overlooked ;)
The cannabis vote is tricky for me. I've never smoked MJ, but would not want to deprive some person from enjoying it who is over 21. Plus those (including myself in the future if necessary) from using it for medical needs.
Jeff, do you REALLY think I wet my finger and stick it up into the air before I write my views here? REALLY? My views are just that - my views. I have absolutely no doubt that more than a few of my "friends" currently do partake, or have partaken, of "the weed". That doesn't change a thing, as far as I'm concerned. It is still against federal law.
I'm not happy with the uneven enforcement, but I can't do anything about it.
I did hear the host on the radio broadcast tell us about one "un-named councilman" who sat in his car and watched customers enter and leave one dispensary in town and deduced from those observations that not all purchasers were medically impaired. The host, as you will recall, then said he was OK with selling to folks who didn't have a prescription as long as those who DID could still be served. It is THAT attitude that creates a problem for me.
And, I'm not "disrespecting" anyone. Until the law changes, a law-breaker is a law-breaker, just as I am when I exceed the speed limit while driving. The traumas you conjure up to justify the "need" for a prescription MAY be valid - that's up to a physician or a shrink to decide. PTSD is a serious issue and, as a Viet Nam-era veteran, I don't take it lightly at all.
And, don't worry - I have no intention of visiting your operation for the purpose of analysis or purchase - or any other reason. Thanks for participating here.
Even a broken clock is right twice a day. He Who Abdicated the Mayorship to Righeimer hosting a public service event does not excuse his abhorrent behavior on the day Huy Pham died, 3/17/11.
Nor does it excuse Monahan's support for the policy contributing to Huy Pham's death.
I don't believe that Gary does much that isn't in his own self-interest. I can see him hosting a delegation from Al Qaeda if it resulted in him selling more booze.
So Let me get this straight, he's drunk at his bar the day one of his workers jumps to his death, he let's Riggy try and lay off half the workforce, let's Riggy try this charter crap and now he's begging for the dope smoking happy vote. What a nut-job our Mayor is.
It’s about time people examined what Gary Monahan is doing … Jim Righeimer has gotten most of the scrutiny because he appears to be running Costa Mesa. But he has only one vote out of five. So how does he get at least three votes for a majority?
Rig and Steve Mensinger add up to only two, so he needs at least one more vote, and he’s not going to get it from Wendy Leece.
Gary M and Eric Bever are the linchpins. They enable Righeimer's success by providing the crucial majority votes. If not for them, we wouldn’t have been put through the Righeimer wringer.
This November, voters will be able to thank or thump Gary for his reliable support of everything that Righeimer and his merry band of out-of-town think tanks have dreamt up.
So, maybe Gary is hedging his bets by reaching out to the cannabis crowd. He might be realizing he has ticked off too many of his usual supporters, so he needs to cultivate some new ones.
In this strongly libertarian town – whose residents don’t want government to tell them what to do or not to do – Gary might get a twofer: support from both marijuana users and libertarians.
Conversation from secret meeting.
“So has anyone figured out the opposition’s political strategy for this year’s election?
Well, sir they figured out that only reason you got into office last time was because the votes that would have blown you out of the water were split between a math teacher and dispensary owner. This year they won’t make that mistake again. We believe they are rallying the two camps together and they may win.
So, what are we doing about it?
Well, we need to figure out how to split the vote again. We need a candidate to steal some of the pothead’s votes away from their camp.
Ok, I get it. But we are Republicans; the potheads won’t believe we care about their issue. Is there anyone we can bring in to help with this?
Sir?
Yes.
Hmm, we don’t need any outside influences. We already have a guy that is under the influence all the time. Plus his customers are usually high anyways.
Ok, get him on the phone. He hasn’t paid off his debt to us yet.
Ring Ring….
Hello Hello - Happy Saint Patrick’s day!”
Cheech and Monachong
Q. What do you get when you cross a sell-out leprechaun and some weed?
A. Show up to the event and find out.
I wonder what the rest of the City Council thinks of this interesting partnership? I wonder what the OCGOP thinks of this interesting partnership? I wonder what other local politicians think of this?
Joe wrote:
"I don't believe that Gary does much that isn't in his own self-interest. I can see him hosting a delegation from Al Qaeda if it resulted in him selling more booze."
Most hardcore Muslims don't drink. If al qaeda does show up in Costa Mesa, hide Gary and those sheep they exhibit during the Fair..
To whom it may concern. My name is Robert Martinez I host the Cannabis Community Talk Show on KOCI. I am a real American Army Veteran I was a Army medic as well as a Practical nurse. It is disturbing to me when ignorant people make statements about my show. I have never advocated for the sales of Cannabis to anyone without a valid physician recommendation. I find it amusing that the hate that has been spread by ignorant racist people. Forget about the $600 billion that has been wasted on this absurd prohibition. Let me tell you that the data supports that 430,000 people in America die from cigarettes yet on every corner in Costa Mesa I can obtain a pack. 100,000 people die in America from Alcohol and again every corner in Costa mesa. 100,000 Americans die from prescription drugs. Zero deaths from Cannabis.
I am not an out of towner I went to Mariners elementary, Ensign, and Newport Harbor high I own a home in Costa Mesa I work for a biotechnology company and have dedicated my life to helping people. What have you done other than be an angry hater. Mayor Monohan may have his fault's but show me a human being who is perfect. I thank the Mayor for his strength to step up he is a true patriot if you were not so venomous and took the time to listen the Mayor never stepped over the line. The ballot initiative that I am launching this week could potentially cost the city millions of dollars. Not to mention the Attorney fees for multiple lawsuits against the city for violating my civil rights.
JW, nice try, but I'm not publishing that stuff without more proof.
Robert Martinez
Thanks for your comment. Actually, thanks for it twice, since you submitted it twice, a minute apart. Perhaps you were in a haze when you tried to send it.
Actually, I DID listen to the program yesterday and I DID hear you say what I quoted in this blog - that you didn't have a problem selling "medicine" to those without prescriptions as long as your "patients" could still buy it.
I DID hear Monahan and I did see the sign posted on the LiveWell building offering a campaign donation to Monahan and a free "house joint" to those who produced a receipt from Skosh Monahan's yesterday. I verified those offers with a telephone call to the place before I published it.
Thanks for participating, if you remember participating, that is...
Well I sent from my phone so perhaps it went through twice. Well again play back there were several people speaking and we had a moderator who was not me his name is Dave so again I have not advocated to provide cannabis to non patients. I was also not the one who mentioned the city council member sitting in front of shop. Ignorance is bliss. Check your facts. 6 people spoke other than myself. It was actually first show where I did not speak that much listen next week my voice is very distinct
Robert Martinez,
You may be correct... I said it was the host of the program who made the comment about selling the product to others. I tuned in 1 minuted into the broadcast and didn't hear the name of the host.
JW,
I DID go to the Superior Court web site and DID see many infractions. Still not going to publish what you sent. At least, not yet. If you wish to debate use the email address in the profile of this blog. I'd be happy to hear from you.
Does this fine community know that you support the Mexican cartels and the Blackmarket. Because they are the only ones who benefit from not regulating cannabis they are the only ones who will sell to children. The people of this great State voted to legalize cannabis 15 years ago. With prop 215 in 1996 in 2003 the the state implemented senate bill 420. What do you propose the city council do regarding medical cannabis. Please let us get your input. Do you really think it is going away the data to support the benefits is overwhelming. When was the last time you spoke to a medical oncologist and he or she told you cannabis has no benefits.
Yo Pot Stirrer... I appreciate your censorship but everyone that knows me knows I have faults.. and I have no problem talking about my expunged 2007 conviction for marijuana cultivation or the 'wet reckless' DUI I got back in june. In both cases I made massive mistakes. The cultivation charge was BS and the sentence reflected what a joke it really was. However the DUI was kicked down to a wet reckless and I must tell you this was the dumbest thing I have ever done in my life, because I endangered others that night. That is a mistake I will never repeat. Let the haters hate. I know the venomous hater that sends all this hate mail.. and I still vow to love her and defend her because I know her business is helping a lot of people. CM is a better place because she is here, so let her sling mud.. Besides if I can't handle a lil heat in the kitchen I'm probably in the wrong biz.
Byrne, you forgot to mention the DUI was obtained after leaving our dear mayors establishment.
The fact you have become the mouth piece for MMJ in Costa Mesa is a sad day.
The fact you support the tax marijuana like wine initiative also shows how ignorant you are.
Jeff Byrne,
Yes, you guessed - as I suspect other readers may have - the content of the two attempts JW made to list part of your record here. I'm not in that business and chose - despite HIS insistence that I do so - to not publish it. It's part of the public record and you've clarified an issue that wasn't on the table - yet - so I appreciate your willingness to set the record straight - so to speak. I don't know if the writer was male or female, but he/she chose a male name in the second message, for whatever that is worth to you.
Driving impaired - from whatever the source of the impairment might be - is truly a bad idea. In my youth - a long, long time ago - I, too, drove while under the influence of alcohol. A truly bad idea that subsequently scared the heck out of me and I've never done it again.
For the record stating facts is not slinging mud.
You are one of the most laughed at names in the game.
Good day
@John Warner aka whineyboy:
Mr. West is well-respected in Costa Mesa. Will you agree to indemnify him for any and all claims arising out of the things you want published?
I thought not. Now go away.
Sure thing Joe.
So claims would arise from a factual public record?
I thought not. Now go away.
One more thing Joe,
The comment you referred to was about Byrne not West.
BIG difference. You see one is respected and one is a wolf in sheeps clothing.
Good day
For those of you who don't believe the real medicinal values of cannabis I strongly suggest the next time you get the stomach flu or food poisoning you simply ingest a little cannabis via vaporizer or smoking and you will notice the immediate relief of your nausea. And then reflect on how somebody undergoing the toxic effects of chemotherapy feels.
And just how much money and time has this city wasted (no pun intended) on fighting the dispensaries? and yet those same dispensaries don't seem to be going anywhere
I won't say marijuana has no medicinal value, but IF it is indicated for all of the ailments it is RECOMMEDED for, it is a friggin' miracle cure. If it can do all the proponents say it can, legalize it, schedule it and require a PRESCRIPTION to get it.
Right now ant 18 year old skater pot head with a "recommendation" from some shady doctor suggested by the dispensary itself (ulterior motive much?) who claims to have anything from ADD to a sore back can go get his weed at will. It's a system rife with problems.
For Martinez to claim that not legalizing weed is tantamount to supporting cartels is pure bovine scatology. These guys bash "big pharma" out of one side of their mouths, then crate a business under the guise of "compassion" while praising capitalism out of the other sides of thier mouth. It's pure hypocrisy and they are looking for a way, a loophole to smoke weed and make a buck. If you don't believe that, just ask any of them their thoughts on scheduling marijuana and requiring a physician with a DEA number to prescribe weed and that it can only be filled at a legitimately licensed pharmacy and see what they tell you.
They hate big pharma yet MOST use synthetic pharma grade nutrients to grow their product.
Oliver
You truly are an ignorant human being. Do your homework obviously you were not the top of your class. I am not against Big Pharma in fact I make a living off of Big Pharma have for many years. Very good living at that. If you knew anything about the Medical Cannabis industry you would not make such ignorant statements. Physicians who prescribe Cannabis are real Doctors Medical Doctors as well as Doctors of Osteopathic medicine. The Doctors that we recommend are also Military veterans just like me. You are ok with utilizing Pharmaceuitical grade products but the fact of the matter 100,000 people die annually from Pharma drugs and they have a gold seal of approval from Your friends at the FDA. Zero deaths from Cannabis and when you get the time to do some research you can also see that when the Government went and made Cannabis illegal the AMA or American Medical Association urged Congress to reconsider. In fact the largest medical association in America has urged the Feds to reschedule just last year. God help you when you are stricken with some horrible ailment that is not alleviated by the Pharma products. You are such a ignorant coward you wont even put your full name haahaahaa lol. Anytime you want to show everyone how ignorant you are why dont you come on my show 101.5 KOCI every Sunday 485 e 17th st 3rd floor 11am to noon
I prefer to see myself as a German Shepherd protecting the sheep. check links for clarity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Shepherd_Dog
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subspecies_of_Canis_lupus
One of my favorite pass times is laughing at myself....
For the Record: I was nabbed by undercover gang unit leaving Madeline's Bar (not skosh's) on the night in question. A classy joint if ever there was one ;) After gang unit politely and courteously got me out of my car, officer BAO administered the breathalizer where I blew a .09 BAC.
Facing my wife after that was enough to keep me in check for life. Just glad it was victimless.
To be anti cannabis just doesn't hold water anymore. any good detective will tell you 'no body, no case.' ZERO deaths. can peanut butter sandwiches say that? no.
Cannabis is a miracle and it will heal us in more ways than anyone gives it credit. In due time my friends... In due time.
Meanwhile in Orange County this year alone over 250 people will die from a fatal dose of an "over the counter" drug bought at any corner store.
What was the result of that last dope smoking hippie idea Prop 19? If I recall the the hippies lost.
Sue Lester please tell me that you didn't attend this event. I know you think Monahan is a snake, a liar, and lacking in morals. You are better than being sucked into this lie of his that is clearly only an attempt to find somebody who can support his incompetence. This is simply him buying the vote of a community he will turn his back on.
Martinez, you completely sidestepped the issue and threw out a red herring. There is no prescription required. It is a recommendation, and it can be given by a physician that does not hold a DEA number to prescribe medication.
The question remains, how do yo feel about going the whole 9 yards, federally legalizing cannabis, scheduling it and requiring a physician who holds a DEA number prescribe it (not recommend it)? If you want it to be treated as a legitimate medicinal therapy, then you shouldn't be afraid of true cheks and balances and oversight.
The rhetoric that cannabis never killed anyone, it's "prescribed" by physicians who are veterans etc. are all fluff to throw out chaff to confuse the argument. If I get I'll and a physician prescribes cannabis and it is currently medically accepted within the standard of care or my treatment I will use it. Until such time, I won't I will use whatever is within the accepted standard of care.
Incidentally, I'm an Air Force veteran and that has absolutely nothing to do with this argument stop leaning on it as a crutch.
Olive
Or who ever you are
Again You still wont state your true name You are a Coward. I have no problem with any one legalizing Cannabis and having Doctors prescribe. My problem is with ignorance. You who hide behind anonymous post. I dont make a living off of Cannabis I make my living off Big Pharma. I also employ 20 people in Costa Mesa that depend on the checks they recieve. I am completely aware of Checks and Balances with the FDA. I have dedicated my life to helping people. I am not an ignorant hater like you. This will be my last comment because all people who hide behind anonymous post are too weak to waste my energy.
Robert, thanks for making this your last post, you dope pushing hippie. You and your drug selling kind are no different than the criminal on the street, both breaking the law. I'm sure you're a man of your word so goodbye and check back with a different name. Nope 2 Dope out!
Martinez, you are obviously too emotionally connected to your argument. From the get go, all you have done is attack me personally and name call. You have called me a "hater", "coward", "ignorant" etc.
Amazing. When you can't make an argument attack. Nicely played.
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