Denver Marijuana Radio Station Faces Hackers, FCC Hurdle

GLENDALE, Colo. (CBS4) - Denver's first marijuana-themed radio station is fighting to stay on the airwaves, but not because of its controversial content.

Computer hackers were able to knock KBUD Smokin' 94.1 off the air Monday night. Station owner Marc Paskin, whose alter ego is drive time DJ Gary Ganja, says the hackers basically wiped out the radio station.

"They came in and hacked our computer. They took out all our music, imaging promos and comedy segments," he said.

Paskin says the station lost two or three months of work developing content. Smokin' 94.1 has only been on the air since June. By Tuesday afternoon the station was up and running again.

RELATED: DJ Gary Ganja Hopes To Hit New High With 'Music For Stoners'

The hacking incident follows a complaint filed with the Federal Communications Commission from a competing radio station about radio tower signal strength. The complaint asks the FCC to take Smokin' 94.1 off the air until a dispute over territory can be settled.

"I believe that we've built up a huge audience in a month and it could disappear tomorrow. Of course we are fighting for our life here." Paskin said. "I don't want to be taken off the air and I feel like we will not be taken off the air."

Paskin says 94.1 was a sports radio station when he purchased it and he hasn't changed the signal strength.

"If I would have stayed sports talk and had a small audience I wouldn't be hearing from them," he said.

The FCC hasn't weighed in on the marijuana content of Smokin' 94.1.

"I don't think we are doing anything illegal. I wouldn't be putting my time and my money and effort into something if I thought it was going to be closed down tomorrow."

Mark Ackerman is a Special Projects Producer at CBS4. Follow him on Twitter @ackermanmark