>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON," THE TOP VOTE-GETTER IN THE BOSTON MAYORAL PRELIMINARY ELECTION, CITY COUNCILOR MICHELLE WU, JOINS ME.

THEN, LATER, CAN YOU EXPLAIN THIS: A MAJORITY OF US LIVE IN STATES WHERE MARIJUANA IS LEGAL, YET 40,000 PEOPLE ARE IN JAIL FOR POT CRIMES, MOSTLY POSSESSION.

THE NEW "NOVA" FILM "THE CANNIBIS QUESTION" DIVES INTO IT ALL-- THE SCIENCE WE KNOW, THE SCIENCE WE DON'T, AND THE RACISM THAT INFECTS THE CONTINUING WAR AGAINST THE DRUG.

WE'LL GET A SNEAK PEEK, WITH TWO OF THE PEOPLE BEHIND IT.

>> BRAUDE: ON THE HEELS OF A BIG ENDORSEMENT FROM ACTING MAYOR KIM JANEY, CITY COUNCILOR MICHELLE WU GOT THE BACKING OF TWO OTHER POLITICIANS IN HER BID FOR BOSTON MAYOR TODAY: SUFFOLK COUNTY REGISTER OF PROBATE FELIX ARROYO, AND HIS SON, BOSTON CITY COUNCILOR RICARDO ARROYO MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT THIS AFTERNOON.

BOTH HAD BACKED JANEY IN THE PRELIMINARY.

BUT NOW ITS WU, AHEAD OF THE NOVEMBER 2 GENERAL ELECTION WHEN SHE'LL GO HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH FELLOW CITY COUNCILOR ANNISSA ESSAIBI GEORGE.

MICHELLE WU JOINS ME NOW.

>> Braude: COUNSELOR IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU HERE.

WHAT MAKES YOU A BETTER CHOICE ON NOVEMBER 2nd.

>> WE HAVE BEEN IN THE RACE OVER A YEAR EMPHASIZING THIS IS ABOUT THE RESIDENTS OF BOSTON.

THIS MOMENT IN OUR CITY.

WE HAVE URGE EPBLT CHALLENGES.

I'M RUNNING TO TAKE ON THE BIG ISSUES WE HAVE SOLUTIONS FOR IN BOSTON.

WE HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF EXPERIENCE AND BOLD MOVE TO GET IT DONE.

>> Braude: YOU THINK YOU WOULD BE A BETTER CHOICE.

WOULD ESSAIBI-GEORGE BE A GOOD MAYOR?

YOU KNOW HER QUITE WELL.

>> WE HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY AS A CITY TO HAVE A INCREDIBLE CANDIDATE FIELD.

FOR THE LAST 12 PLUS MONTHS NOW REALLY SEEING WHICH EACH CANDIDATE BRINGS TO THE CONVERSATION IS INCREDIBLY INSPIRING.

I'M GRATEFUL TO BE IN THE ROLE OF MOVING ONTO THE FINALLY ELECTION.

CONTINUING TO GO DOOR TO DOOR INSURING WE'RE CENTERING THE VOICES AND RESIDENTS ON THE GROUND.

>> Braude: WOULD SHE BE A GOOD MAYOR.

>> I THINK WE'RE ALL IN GOOD HANDS IN THIS CITY.

I'M FIGHTING TO MAKE SURE OUR VISION GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY WILL BE THE ONE WE IMPLEMENT DAY ONE.

>> Braude: ABOUT A WEEK OR SO AGO YOU AGREED NOT TO DO ATTACK ADS.

YOU CAN'T CONTROL WHAT POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES DO.

THEY'RE THEORETICALLY, NOT THEORETICALLY BUT LYLELY INDEPENDENT.

I'M UNCLEAR.

WHAT IS OKAY AND WHAT IS A VIOLATION AND CONSIDERED AN ATTACK.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT TO ME, COUNSELOR?

>> THIS IS A TIME WE NOT ONLY TAKE ON THE BIG CHALLENGES BUT CHANGE THE POLITICS OF THIS CONVERSATION.

WE HAVE SEEN IN THIS COUNTRY THE LAST FOUR PLUS YEARS WHAT NEGATIVE ATTACK ADS CAN DO TO OUR DEMOCRACY AND HOW PEOPLE FEEL CONNECTED OR DISCONNECTED FROM THEIR GOVERNMENT.

I HAVE VOWED AND CALLED ON ANYONE IN THIS RACE.

WHETHER IT'S OUR FOLKS ON THE GROUND OR OUT SIDE GROUPS FROM RETPRA +*EUPB TRAINING FROM THOSE NEGATIVE ATTACKS.

WE KNOW THAT IS DANGEROUS FOR OUR DEMOCRACY AS WELL.

>> Braude: I'M NOT CLEAR ON A NEGATIVE ATTACK.

LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

TELL ME IF IT CROSSES THE LINE.

ESSAIBI-GEORGE'S HUSBAND IT IS A DEVELOPER.

SHE VOTED AGAINST A PROJECT THAT HER HUSBAND ALSO OPPOSED.

SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT OR DISCLOSE IT BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT.

WOULD BRINGING THAT UP BE FARE GAME OR WOULD YOU CONSIDER THAT INAPPROPRIATE BECAUSE THAT'S AN ATTACK ON ESSAIBI-GEORGE?

>> LOOK WE'RE IN A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

WE'RE BOTH PUTTING FORWARD OUR UNIQUE AND DISTINCTIVE VISIONS, EXPERIENCE, LEADERSHIP STYLES.

I'M FOCUSED WHAT IS IN OUR CONTROL.

INSURING RESIDENTS KNOW WHAT IS AS STAKE IN THIS ELECTION.

HOW MUCH OUR FUTURE RIDES ON THE DECISION WEZ MAKE IN THE NEXT THREE TO FIVE YEARS.

THERE IS PLENTY TO TALK ABOUT IN THIS RACE.

WE ARE PUSHING FORWARD TO FOCUS ON THE KHAL INNINGS, THE DREAMS, THE ISSUES THAT ARE COMING FROM OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> DO YOU BELIEVE HER WHEN SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T KNOW HER HUSBAND OWNED THE A JOINING PROPERTY AND OPPOSED THE PROJECT SHE VOTED AGAINST?

>> I TAKE MY COLLEAGUE'S WORDS AT FACE VALUE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS RACE IS ABOUT MUCH MORE THAN ONE OFF INCIDENTS.

THE WAYS WHICH THE SYSTEMS OVER ALL FRICTION OUR DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL PROCESS.

IT'S VARIED CASE BY CASE AND STRUCTURED TO EXACERBATE OUR CITY.

HOW WE BUILD AND FUND HOUSING.

WHETHER THAT'S AFFORDABLE TO RESIDENTS THERE.

IS A LOT OF WORK WE NEED TO DO?

WE NEED TO GRAB A HOLD OF THE ISSUES WITH URGENCY AND SCOPE WHAT HAD NEEDS TO GET DONE.

>> ONE LAST ATTEMPT.

LET'S LOOK AT YOU FOR A SECOND.

I THINK IT WAS 7 YEARS AGO AS CITY COUNCIL YOU VOTED FOR A CONSERVATIVE FELLOW COUNSELOR FO A COUNSELOR PRESIDENT.

WOULD YOU CRY FOUL AND SAY THAT'S AN ATTACK IF THAT WAS RAISED ?

I WANT TO UNDERSTAND.

THINK THE VOTERS WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU PARTICULAR LIE CONSIDER OUT OF BOUNDS AND AN APPROPRIATE TOPIC FOR DEBATE.

IS THAT OUT OF BOUNDS?

>> THE VOTES WE HAVE TAKEN.

THE TRACK RECORD WE BRING IS PART OF EVERY CONVERSATION.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO MAKE SURE WE FOCUS ON WHAT IS AT STAKE.

THAT IS OUR HOUSING CRISIS IN THE MIST OF AN ON GOING PANDEMIC, NEEDS OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS, AND HOW MUCH FAMILIES AND EDUCATORS ARE HOLDING THAT TOGETHER.

AND THE POTENTIAL FOR BOSTON TO LEAN IN AND MAKE SURE WE MEET THIS MOMENT WHEN IT COMES TO THE JOBS WE PREPARE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE WORK FORCE FOR.

THE ECONOMY AND PROSPERITY THAT WE CAN ALL BE CONNECTED TO.

>> QUICKLY DO YOU REGRET THAT VOTE SEVEN YEARS AGO, OR NO.

>> WE'RE IN A VERY DIFFERENT TIME IN OUR CITY AND THE ISSUES.

THE REPRESENTATION ON CITY COUNCIL.

I REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST RAN IN 2013, WHEN WE FIRST MET, IT WAS THE YEAR THAT WE DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF WOMEN SERVING ON THE COUNCIL FROM ONE TO TWO.

NOW ALL OF THESE YEARS LATER WE KNOW THE ENTIRE POLITICAL ECOSYSTEM HAS CHANGED.

THAT WE ARE MORE REPRESENTATIVE, MORE CONNECTED, MORE URGENTLY DISCUSSING THE ISSUES THAT MATTER IN DAY TO DAY LIVES FOR OUR RIS INCIDENTS.

I KNOW FROM KNOCKING ON THE DOORS AND BEING IN THE COMMUNITY THOSE ISSUES DRIVE THE RACE.

HOW DO WE CONFRONT OUR HOUSING CRISIS AND MAKE SURE EVERYONES HAS ACCESS TO FOOD, SHELTER, AND THE TYPES OF OPPORTUNITIES WE KNOW ARE POSSIBLE IN THE CITY.

>> Braude: I MENTIONED IN THE INTRODUCTION YOU GOT A VERY IMPORTANT INDUCTION FROM THE ACTING MAYOR.

RECEIVING THE MOST BLACK VOTES OF ANY BOSTONIAN IN THE RACE.

THE TURN OUT WAS VERY LOW FOR BLACK VOTERS.

NONE OF THE THREE BLACK CANDIDATES ARE IN THE FINAL.

WHY SHOULD WE NOT ASSUME THE TURN OUT WOULD BE LOWER FOR THE BLACK RESIDENTS, AND WHAT DO YOU TO DO BRING IT UP?

>> THAT'S VERY MUCH ON US AS CANDIDATES, CITY GOVERNMENT, COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO GET OUT THERE AND MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT ABOUT WHAT IS AT STAKE HERE.

WHEN I STOOD WITH MAYOR JANEY OVER THE WEEKEND TO TALK ABOUT WHY WE WERE BOTH ALIGNED ON OUR POLICY VISION FOR THE FUTURE AND THE URGENCY FOR WHY WE NEED TO KEEP GOING, VOTER TURN OUT WAS A HUGE PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

THERE IS TOO MUCH ON THE LINE RIGHT NOW FOR OUR CITY TO SIT THIS ONE OUT.

WE NEED EVERYONE AT THE TABLE.

NOT JUST TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE VOTE COUNT BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY TO BE PART OF THE CONVERSATIONS STARTING ON DAY ONE AS WHICH HIT THE DAY RUNNING.

>> Braude: DID SHE ASK YOU TO COMMIT TO ANYTHING PARTICULAR OR DID YOU COMMIT TO ANYTHING TO SECURE HER ENDORSEMENT.

>> I COMMITTED TO BEING ON THE SAME PAGE OF THE WAY THE CITY IS ALIGNED.

WE HAVE PARTNERED ON THE COUNCIL FOR YEARS BEFORE.

SHARED A CAMPAIGN OFFICE IN THE LAST ELECTION CYCLE.

WE STAND ON THE SAME SIDE OF INSURING EQUITY, JUSTICE, AND EXPANDING OPPORTUNITY IS AT THE FOR GRANT OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE WHEN CITY GOVERNMENT LEANS IN.

>> Braude: YOU HAVE MENTIONED SCHOOLS A COUPLE OF TIMES.

FOR SCHOOLS TO BE SUCCESSFUL KIDS HAVE TO BE SAFE IN THE SCHOOLS.

THE MASKS, THE STATE WIDE MASK MANDATE WAS EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER FIRST A DAY OR TWO AGO.

SHOULD THERE BE VACCINATION MANDATES IN BOSTON SCHOOLS AS LOS ANGELES IS DOING?

>> THERE SHOULD BE.

AS WE SEE APPROVAL FOR VACCINATIONS FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN.

I FULLY EXPECT AND WILL WORK FOR SCHOOLS TO BE A PLATFORM TO CLOSE GAPS IN VACCINATION AS CROSS THE COMMUNITIES.

THIS IS A REGULAR PRACTICE.

AS A MOM THERE IS A LONG LIST OF VACCINATIONS YOU HAVE TO TURN IN TO ATTEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE MIDST OF THIS ON GOING PANDEMIC WE NEED TO ACT SWIFT LEON THIS.

>> Braude: AS IN NEW YORK SHOULD THERE BE A VACCINE REQUIREMENT TO GO INTO A GYM, RESTAURANT OR BAR?

BOSTON?

>> YES, AS THE NUMBERS GO UP WE NEED TO FOLLOW THE DATA.

AS THE WEATHER GROWS COMBEDDER AND MORE PEOPLE ARE HEADED INDOORS FOR ACTIVITIES WE HAVE TO INSURE PROTECTIONS WHEN FOLKS ARE INSIDE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME.

THIS DOESN'T A PLOY TO EVERY SINGLE IN DOOR SETTING.

WHEN YOU ARE SITTING AND EATING INSIDE AS OPPOSED TO OUTSIDE ON A PATIO YOUR MASK DOWN.

ENJOYING A MEAL THERE.

SHOULD BE ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS FOR THE WORKERS AND FELLOW CUSTOMERS IN THE SITUATION.

>> Braude: PART OF YOUR HOUSING AGENDA IS THE RESTORATION OF RENT CONTROL.

OBVIOUSLY NEED STATE APPROVAL.

COUNCIL A. ESSAIBI-GEORGE OPPOSED IT.

WHY SHOULD RENT CONTROL BE PART OF THE MIX OF MAKING HOUSING MORE AFFORDABLE FOR THE CITY?

>> RESTORATION IS NOT QUITE THE RIGHT WORD.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT GOING BACKWARDS TO A STYLE, EXPERIENCE THAT MASSACHUSETS HAD.

MAKING SURE THAT THE CITY OF BOSTON HAS THE POWER TO USE EVERY TOOL POSSIBLE TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING CRISIS.

FAM HRAOETZ ARE BEING DISPLACED DAY BY DAY.

WE SEE IN THE CENSUS NUMBERS HOW THAT'S AFFECTING BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

WE KNOW THAT STATES AND CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE TALK ING ABOUT RENT STABILIZATION IN A DIFFERENT WAY NOW.

PAIRED WITH BOOSTING HOUSE SUPPLY, STREAMLINING ZONING AND GETTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON-LINE FASTER.

WE NEED TO STABILIZE FAMILIES IN THEIR HOMES NOW.

>> Braude: YOU WOULD LOBBY BEAK ON HILL TO ADD THAT TO THE LIFT LIFT OF THINGS YOU COULD DO TO MAKE HOUSING MORE AFFORDABLE.

IS THAT CORRECT.

>> THAT IS RIGHT THIS.

IS AN ALL HANDS ON DECK MOMENT ON MANY ISSUES.

I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING A STRONG PARTNERSHIP WITH STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> Braude: YOU ARE AHEAD OF THE CURVE HERE.

LIMITED EXPERIMENTS GOING ON NOW.

A REPORT CAME OUT SAYING EVEN WITHOUT FREE TRANSPORTATION WE FACE A BILLION AND A QUARTER DEFICIT EVERY YEAR FOR THE NEXT DECADE.

HOW DOES MAKING THE T FREE NOT JUST MAKE THAT GAP, THAT FISCAL GAP EVEN WIDER THAN IT CURRENTLY IS?

>> THIS IS A FALSE CHOICE TO SAY THAT WE CAN ONLY HAVE RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE OR AFFORDABLE ACCESS.

WE NEED BOTH FUNDAMENTALLY.

IT'S HOW WE THINK ABOUT PUBLIC SCHOOLS, EDUCATION, PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND PARKS.

THE MORE PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO CHOOSE TO RIDE THE T THE BETTER OFF WE ARE FOR AIR QUALITY, CLIMATE GOALS, CLOSING THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP.

TRANSPORTATION AGENCY AS CROSS THE COUNTRY ARE HAVING TO RETHINK REFINANCING THEIR SYSTEMS.

EVERYWHERE ACROSS THE COUNTRY WE CAN'T KEEP PUTTING THE BURDEN ON THE BACKS OF RIDERS WHO ARE OFTEN NOT ABLE TO AFFORD OTHER ALTERNATIVES.

WE HAVE SEEN CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TOUTING THE BENEFITS, TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE WHEN WE REMOVE FINANCIAL BARRIERS.

ALBUQUERQUE ANNOUNCES FARE FREE WITH THEIR BUS SYSTEM.

KANSAS CITY AND IN MASSACHUSETS THE CITY OF LAWRENCE ARE IN THEIR FOURTH YEAR OF FARE FREE BUS TRANSPORTATION.

IT'S LIFE CHANGING.

IN BOSTON WE'RE DOING ON THE 28 WHICH IS.

>> Braude: BEFORE YOU GO, COUNSELOR, WHAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU WANT VOTERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT YOU FEAR THEY DON'T?

>> I HAVE BEEN IN CITY GOVERNMENT A LONG TIME.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE MANY, MANY CONVERSATIONS I HAVE HAD ACROSS THE CITY.

I LIVE THE STAKES OF THE POLICY DECISIONS IN MY FAMILY WITH KIDS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, LIVING IN MULTI GENERATION AL HOUSEHOLD, CARRYING FOR A MOM WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.

I KNOW THE GAPS.

I ALSO BRING A TRACK RECORD OF FIGURING OUT HOW TO GET THINGS DONE IN CITY GOVERNMENT.

I KNOW MORE IS POSSIBLE WHEN WE'RE ALL AT THE TA +*EUP TABLE.

>> Braude: BEFORE WE LEAVE IS THAT OVER YOUR SHOULDER LIVE OR A FAKE PLANT?

>> IT'S A LOVELY BORROWED CONFERENCE ROOM PLASTIC TREE.

>> Braude: FAIR ENOUGH, PLASTIC TREE.

MICHELLE WU IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

IT APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

CAN THED ESSAIBI GEORGE HAS AGREED TO JOIN US AS WELL IN THE COMING WEEKS.

AND A REMINDER, "BOSTON'S RACE INTO HISTORY" AIRS EVERY FRIDAY AT 7:00 THROUGH THE PRELIMINARY.

SARAYA WINTERSMITH WILL CATCH US UP ON THE WEEK IN MAYORAL NEWS.

AND ADAM REILLY AND A PANEL WILL TAKE UP ONE OF THE TOP ISSUES IN THE ELECTION.

THIS WEEK: HOW TO HANDLE MASS AND CASS.

THAT'S FRIDAY AT 7:00 ON GBH 2 AND GBHNEWS.ORG.

IT'S BEEN A QUARTER CENTURY SINCE CALIFORNIA BECAME THE FIRST STATE TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL USE.

SINCE THEN, MORE THAN 30 OTHER STATES HAVE FOLLOWED SUIT, NEARLY 20 OF WHICH HAVE ALSO APPROVED IT RECREATIONAL USE, INCLUDING MASSACHUSETTS.

STILL, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CLASSIFIES CANNABIS AS A SCHEDULE-1 NARCOTIC, ALONGSIDE CLASSIFIES CANNABIS AS A SCHEDULE-1 NARCOTIC, ALONGSIDE DRUGS LIKE HEROIN AND L.S.D., A DESIGNATION THAT DATES BACK 50 YEARS, TO THE START OF THE WAR ON DRUGS.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, DISPROPORTIONATELY PEOPLE OF COLOR, ARE STILL BEHIND BARS FOR MARIJUANA-RELATED OFFENSES.

THE CLASSIFICATION ALSO MEANS SCIENTISTS CAN'T CONDUCT MUCH NECESSARY MEDICAL RESEARCH ON CANNABIS.

SO, AS A RESULT, WE HAVE VERY LITTLE DATA ABOUT HOW IT ACTUALLY AFFECTS THE HUMAN BODY.

>> IT'S A HIGHLY CONTENTIOUS SUBJECT.

WHAT DOES THE DATA TELL US?

WHAT DOES THE SCIENCE TELL US?

WE SHOULD KNOW THE ANSWERS.

>> BRAUDE: "NOVA'S" NEWEST FILM, "THE CANNABIS QUESTION," GETS INTO ALL THIS AND MORE.

I'M JOINED BY ITS DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER, SARAH HOLT, AND KASSANDRA FREDERIQUE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DRUG POLICY ALLIANCE, WHO'S FEATURED IN THE FILM.

>> Braude: GREAT TO YOU HAVE YOU BOTH.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

Braude: SARAH, LET'S START WITH YOU.

THE USE IS SO HIGH.

OUR NOVEL OF BENEFITS AND HARM IS SO HRO +*EU.

IS THIS ATTRIBUTED TO ANTIQUATED LAWS ON MARIJUANA?

>> I THINK IT IS.

I WASI SPOKE WITH ONE LEADING CANNABIS SCIENTIST.

HE HAD TO KEEP HIS CANNABIS IN A LOCKED LAB, IN A LOCKED SAFE.

HE HAD TO ACCOUNT FOR ALL OF IT WHEN YOU CAN GO TO A DISPENSARY AND BYE TWICE THAT.

IT SHOWS HOW HARD IT IS TO DO RESEARCH.

>> Braude: ONE THING THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT THAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE SCIENCE IS.

>> THE CANNABINOID RECEPTOR IS THE MOST ABUNDANT RECEPTOR IN THE BRAIN.

WHEN WE LOOKED AT WHERE THEY WERE EXPRESSED, THEY'RE EXPRESSED IN BRAIN REGIONS RELEVANT FOR MOTOR COORDINATION, COGNITION, MEMORY, EMOTIONAL REGULATION, REWARD.

ALL OF THESE BRAIN AREAS ARE KEY TO SO MANY NORMAL BEHAVIORS, BUT ALSO PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS.

>> Braude: SARAH, I KNOW WHEN SHE SAYS THE RECENTER IS THE MOST ABUNDANT.

THAT'S BIG TIME IMPORTANT.

WHAT IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF THAT THOUGH.

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL WHEN YOU USE CANNABIS YOU'RE ENGAGING ONE OF THE MOST REGULATORY SYSTEMS THAT YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD OF.

IT'S WHOLE PURPOSE IS TO KEEP YOUR BODY IN BALANCE.

SO, IT'S -- WE MAKE OUR OWN CANNABIS LIKE MOLECULES.

CANNABIS MIMICS THE MOLECULES.

BY TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW CANNABIS IMPACTS OUR BRAIN WE UNCOVER A NEW CHAPTER OF NEURO SCIENCE.

>> Braude: KASSANDRA, I WANT TO SAY WHAT I SAID BEFORE.

IT'S SO SURREAL.

THE MAJORITY OF US LIVE IN STATES WHERE MARIJUANA IS LEGAL.

YET 40,000 PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY ARE IN JAIL MOSTLY FOR POSSESSION.

TO FINISH THE SYSTEM, THERE IS A GROSS RACIAL IMBALANCE IN THE NUMBERS S THERE NOT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE KNOW OUR CANNABIS LAWS CONSISTENTLY AND HISTORICALLY ARE PREDICATED ON THE DESIRE TO CONTROL GROUPS OF PEOPLE.

>> IF WE THINK ABOUT WHY THE BROADER PUBLIC CALLS THE SUBSTANCE MARIJUANA OPPOSED TO CANNABIS HAS RACIAL TIES.

IF WE LOOK WHERE THE ENFORCEMENT IS HAPPENING WE SEED THE RACIAL FOOTPWREUPBT.

I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO RECOGNIZE IS WHILE THE NUMBER AROUND INCARCERATION IS 40,000.

THE AMOUNT OF ARRESTS FOR CANNABIS ARE IN THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS.

THE AMOUNT OF IN FRACTIONS AND CRIMINALIZATION THAT CANNABIS HAS ON PEOPLE'S ABILITIES TO GET ACCESS TO HOUSING, TO HAVE ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL, TO HAVE ACCESS TO FOOD STAMPS, THE ABILITY TO KEEP CHILDREN IN THEIR CUSTODY ARE ALL IMPACT BID CANNABIS.

A LOT OF TIMES THE NUMBERS DON'T FULLY REFLECT THAT.

>> Braude: A LOT OF OUR CONSERVATIVE STATE LEADERS PRIDE THEMSELVES HOW MUCH THEY CARE ABOUT PEOPLE FIGHTING IN WARS ON OUR BE HALF.

A GUY LIKE SEAN WARSLY WHO THIS WAS IRAQ AND SUFFERED FROM PTSD.

HAS A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CAR.

HE AND HIS WIFE DRIVE TO ALABAMA.

DOES ANYONE WANT TO TELL US WHAT HAPPENED TO ZANE AND HIS WIFE WHEN THEY GOT THERE?

>> THEY STOPPED TO GET GAS AND THEY ARE APPROACHED BY A OFFICER WHO ASKED IF THEY HAVE ANY CANNABIS.

SEAN TEZ HIM HE'S A MEDICAL CANNABIS PATIENT AND HAS IT IN HIS TRUCK.

THAT'S ILLEGAL IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

EVENTUALLY SEAN IS SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON.

>> Braude: AND HAS A STROKE.

AND HIS FAMILY BACK HOME BECAUSE OF THE FINES AND THINGS LOSE THEIR APARTMENT.

IT'S JUST SURREAL.

KASSANDRA, I KNOW IT'S HARD TO SKWRUPL TO A CONCLUSION.

I WOULD LIKE TO YOU MAKE THAT JUMP.

IF SEAN WARSLY WAS NOT BLACK TO YOU THINK THAT WOULD OF HAPPENED TO HIM AND HIS FAMILY?

>> THIS ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE NON BLACK THAT EXPERIENCE THIS.

I THINK THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE WITH THIS EXPERIENCE ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR, RIGHT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND IS CANNABIS IS A PRETEXT FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITY.

IT GIVES PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY.

THE THING ABOUT SEAN IS -- MOST EGREGIOUS CANNABIS LAWS IN ALABAMA.

THEY'RE NOT FULLY EXPERIENCING THE IMPACT OF OUR NEW IDEA AROUND CANNABIS AND REGULATION.

>> Braude: SARAH, WHAT I LEARNED FROM THE FILM, BEYOND THE FACT THE RESEARCH IS SO LIMITED BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL LEVEL LAWS.

I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND OUT THAT MEDICAL SCHOOLS ARE NOT DOING A TERRIFIC JOB OF PREPARING GRADUATES FOR DEALING WITH THESE ISSUES.

SO PEOPLE LIKE THAT NEURO SCIENTIST FROM STANFORD WHO HAD EPILEPSY TAKE SCIENCE INTO THEIR OWN HANDS.

WHY ARE NOT MEDICAL SCHOOLS CONFRONTING THE ISSUES?

>> ONE THING IT'S ILLEGAL AT A FEDERAL LEVEL.

IT MAKES IT HARD FOR SCHOOLS TO GET A HOLD OF CANNABIS.

IT MAY SLOWLY CHANGE.

THERE ARE CLINICAL TRIALS THAT ARE BEING RAN.

WE WILL BE GETTING DATA.

IT'S THE SAME LAWS HOLDING BACK SCIENTISTS PREVENTING UNIVERSITIES.

>> SPEAKING OF LAW THAT'S HOLD THINGS BACK.

LAST THING MORE ME IS THE MORE ACT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT STANDS FOR.

MARIJUANA IS THE M. PASSED THE HOUSE UNLIKELY TO GET THROUGH THE SENATE.

IT DECRIMINALIZES MARIJUANA ON A NATIONAL LEVEL.

>> IF THAT PASSES AND SIGNED BY THE UNITED STATES.

THAT WOULD ADDRESS THIS DISPARITY IN LAWS AND SEAN WARSLY KIND OF SITUATIONS.

WOULD IT NOT, OR AM I TOO HOPEFUL?

>> THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

A COMPREHENSIVE FIRST STEP.

I THINK THIS IS REALLY A COMPREHENSIVE ISSUE.

ONE THAT WILL TAKE THE MORE ACT AND OTHER PARTS.

THERE IS AN ACTIVIST IN MASSACHUSETS FORMER COMMISSIONER SHALYNN TITLE.

>> Braude: SHE IS GREAT.

>> SHE IS TALKING ABOUT ADDITIONS TO THE MORE'S ACT AND BENEFITS.

ONE THING I WOULD ADD QUICKLY ABOUT MEDICAL SCHOOLS THEY DON'T TEACH PEOPLE ABOUT DRUGS AND ADDICTIONS IN GENERAL.

THE FACT THAT THEY DON'T TEACH ABOUT CANNABIS IS SURPRISING.

WITH HOW LITTLE THE.>> Braude: CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WORK IN THE FILM.

I HOPE EVERYONE WATCHES.

>> BRAUDE: SARAH HOLT, KASSANDRA FREDERIQUE, THANKS.

YOU CAN WATCH "THE CANNABIS QUESTION" TOMORROW NIGHT AT 9:00, RIGHT HERE ON GBH-2, OR ONLINE AT: GBH.ORG/NOVA.

THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT, BUT COME PLEASE STAY SAFE.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org