THIS WEEK ON TO THE CONTRARY.• FIRST, #TIMESUP, #METOO AND #POWERTOTHEPOLLS.

WOMEN'S MARCHES AND MOVEMENTS GAINING STEAM AS WE APPROACH THE SECOND YEAR OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

AND, BEHIND THE HEADLINES: WOMEN GROW, THE DIMINISHING ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

YOU HELLO, I'M BONNIE ERBE.

WELCOME TO TO THE CONTRARY, A DISCUSSION OF NEWS AND SOCIAL TRENDS FROM DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES.

UP FIRST, MOVEMENTS AND MARCHES.

WHERE TO NOW FOR THE #TIMESUP MOVEMENT?

THE SOCIAL MEDIA SURGE CREATED BY POWERFUL WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD THAT TOOK OVER FROM THE #METOO MOVEMENT.

METOO STARTED THE AVALANCHE OF PUBLIC OUTINGS BY MOSTLY WOMEN OF MEN WHO SEXUALLY HARASSED AND ASSAULTED THEM.

THIS WEEK, OPRAH WINFREY MADE A POWERFUL CASE AT THE GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS THAT TIME IS UP FOR ABUSIVE MEN.

ACTOR MICHAEL DOUGLAS PREEMPTIVELY WENT PUBLIC WITH A DENIAL OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING A FORMER EMPLOYEE BEFORE SHE MADE THE CLAIM.

AND, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PUDDLE FRENCH ACTRESS CATHERINE DENEUVE CO-SIGNED A LETTER FROM 100 PROMINENT FRENCH WOMEN DENOUNCING SOCIAL MEDIA MOVEMENTS THAT, "CHAIN WOMEN TO THE STATUS OF THE ETERNAL VICTIM" BY FRAMING THEM AS "POOR LITTLE THINGS WHO ARE DOMINATED BY DEMON PHALLOCRATS."

IN THE US, SOME WONDER WHETHER THE MOVEMENTS HAVE TAKEN DOWN MEN WHO WEREN'T REPEAT OFFENDERS OR NEVER ASSAULTED ANYONE AND MEN WHO DESERVED TO KEEP THEIR JOBS.

STILL THE ANTI- HARASSMENT MOVEMENT REMAINS STRONG, EVEN ON CAPITOL HILL.

TAKING THEIR CUE FROM THE GOLDEN GLOBES, A GROUP OF US HOUSE AND SENATE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN PLANS TO WEAR BLACK TO PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S FIRST STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS LATER THIS MONTH.

WE'LL ALSO SEE IF SEXUAL HARASSMENT BECOMES A MAJOR THEME IN THE SECOND YEAR OF WOMEN'S MARCHES SET FOR NEXT WEEK.

WILL PINK HATS BE REPLACED BY BLACK ATTIRE?

RIGHT NOW MARCH ORGANIZERS SAY THEY WANT TO FOCUS ON GETTING MORE WOMEN TO THE POLLS AND THE UPSURGE OF WOMEN RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN NORTHCONGRESSWOMAN NORTON WITH WOMEN CHANGING POLITICS WITH THE MOVEMENTS?

>> I THINK IT'S COMING BUT WOMEN ARE NOT CHANGING SOCIETY YET AND WE WILL KNOW IT WHEN WE SEE IT BECAUSE WE WILL SEE IT IN THE EVERYDAY WORKPLACE OF THE AVERAGE WORKING WOMAN, UNTOUCHED THAT THE MOMENT.

>> I THINK WOMEN HAVE BEEN CHANGING POLITICS AND SOCIETY FOR SOMETIME NOW.

THE RESULTS ARE NOT GREAT BUT WE HAVE TOUCHED ON SO MANY IMPORTANT THINGS.

>> IT FEELS LIKE A NEW DAY ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT ISSUES BUT IT WILL TAKE STRUCTURAL REFORMS.

>> THIS IS A CONVERSATION THAT DOMINATED AND FER ONE IS TALKING ABOUT IT AND NOW THE TIME IS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE SOLUTIONS CAN BE TO PROTECT INNOCENT MEN AND CHANGING THE CULTURE FOR THE BETTER.

>> WE HAVE A LOT TO COVER THIS WEEK WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND WHAT IS GOING ON.

DO YOU THINK THE STATEMENTS THAT THE WOMEN MADE INCLUDING OPRAH WINFREY ARE GOING TO HAVE LASTING IMPACT?

AND IF NOT, HOW DO YOU TRANSLATE THAT INTO LASTING IMPACT?

>> I THINK IT IS AN IMPORTANT BEGINNING.

TO SEE THIS GOING AT A LEVEL SOMETHING REMARKABLE ABOUT THE GOLDEN GLOBES WAS NOT ONLY DID YOU HAVE THE SEA OF ACTRESSES, ACTORS, IN BLACK YOU HAD MEN WEARING TIMES UP BUTTONS SOME WHO DID NOT EARN THE RIGHT TO WEAR THEM.

BUT YOU ALSO HAD A REAL SOLIDARITY THAT HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BEFORE THAT I HAVE NOT SEEN BEFORE BETWEEN HOLLYWOOD AND THE FOUNDER OF ME TOO, AND YOU HAD REPRESENTATIVES OF WORKERS THAT WORK IN LOW WAGE SERVICE INDUSTRIES.

LIKE IN THE RESTAURANT AND THE SERVICE INDUSTRY.

THAT IS NEW CONVERSATION.

SO I THINK WHAT HAPPENED WAS POWERFUL.

I THINK WHAT OPRAH DID WAS VERY IMPORTANT FOR WOMEN AND FOR PEOPLE ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY.

AND IT WAS INCREDIBLY MEANINGFUL TO HEAR HER SPEAK DIRECTLY TO LITTLE GIRLS WHO ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

>> I THINK THAT THIS IS THERE IS A LOT LEFT TO DO.

IT'S ENCOURAGING TO SEE ALL THE ATTENTION EVERYBODY WANTS TO HAVE A CHANGE.

I THINK THERE IS CONCERN THAT SOME OF THIS A LOT OF TALK AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WEARING BUTTONS BUT THE SAME GUYS WEARING BUTTONS BEFORE AND SAYING I'M ALL FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS AS HARVEY WEINSTEIN WOULD SAY HE WAS A PROUD FEMINIST AND EVERYBODY APPLAUDED HIM.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT TESTOSTERONE IS GOING TO BE A BLOCK TO CHANGE IN SOCIETY?

>> WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE MOVE BEYOND THIS WE ARE RECOGNIZING THE PROBLEM AND CREATING MORE AVENUES FOR WOMEN TO COME FORWARD.

BUT WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS.

>> THERE IS A CONSERVATIVE WOMAN HOW DOES YOUR IDEA OF WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND HOW TO MOVE FORWARD DIFFER FROM ERIN'S?

>> I'M NOT SURES OUR DO.

I'M CONCERNED I THINK THIS IS ONE WHERE EVERYBODY AGREES THIS IS A PROBLEM WE WANT A SOLUTION.

AND I THINK HAVING MORE TRANSPARENCY AND NOT LETTING PEOPLE HIDE BEHIND THIS FIG LEAF OF BEING PRO WOMAN IS IMPORTANT STEP IN ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO SPEAK OUT.

THE PROBLEM IS GOING TO COME WHEN IT COMES TO HOW WE ARE GOING TO CHANGE LAWS.

AND I DO THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT DOESN'T BECOME THERE IS A LOT OF PROUD FEMINISTS CLASSICAL LIBERAL WOMEN SAYING THIS IS COMING, COMING.

WE DON'T WANT TO MAKE SO ANY GUY WHO MAKES AN AWKWARD ATTEMPT TO ASK A WOMAN OUT IS PUT IN THE SAME CATEGORY THROUGH WEINSTEIN.

THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW ISSUES THAT HAS NOT BEEN POLARIZED AND YOU WILL FIND WOMEN ON THE SAME PAGE AND WE HAVE TO STRUGGLE TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

AND THE REASON I STRESS THE AVERAGE WOMAN, ALL PRAISE TO THE WOMEN WHO COME FORWARD.

A LOT OF RISK NO MATTER HOW HIGH PROFILE YOU ARE.

IT IS A RISK BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT COME FORWARD IN A GROUP.

ONE BY ONE THEY HAVE COME FORWARD.

BUT THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION WHICH I CHAIRED I MONITOR AND I NOTE THERE ARE 12,000 COMPLAINTS BROUGHT EVERY YEAR.

WHO ARE THESE WOMEN?

I HAVE A BILL THAT FOR NATIONAL COMMISSION THAT WOULD SOMEHOW BRING EMPLOYERS AND EVERYDAY WOMEN SO THAT WE COULD HEAR THEIR STORIES.

IF YOU ASKED ME WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR A WOMAN WHO IS A WAITRESS?

OR WORKS IN AN OFFICE?

I WOULD HAVE TO TELL YOU I DON'T KNOW.

AND I THINK WE NEED TO KNOW.

AND DON'T NEED TO BASE WHAT WE ARE HEARING FROM THESE VERY COURAGEOUS WOMEN WHO STEPPED FORWARD ON THEIR EXPERIENCE BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT IS A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE TODAY.

>> YOU TALK ABOUT BECAUSE YOU ARE INVOLVED IN ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS.

TALK ABOUT WHAT IS BEING DONE BY THE ORGANIZATIONS TO GET WOMEN TO RUN FOR OFFICE, GET MORE WOMEN OF COLOR TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

>> A NUMBER OF THE GROUPS ARE LOOKING TO GET WOMEN INTO ELECTED OFFICE.

AND INTO THE C SUITE AS WELL.

THIS YEAR I WILL BE FOUNDING ONE THAT LOOKS TO TRAIN AND GIVE WORKSHOPS TO WOMEN AROUND THE COUNTRY SO THEY CAN HAVE A NETWORK TO GO TO SOMEBODY THAT THEY CAN LEAD THEM THE WAY TO LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL OFFICE.

ONE OF THE WAYS WE WILL DO IT IS BY SHIFTING CULTURE.

THAT HAS TO HAPPEN.

WHETHER WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE REPUBLICANS OR THE DEMOCRATS.

WHAT HAPPENED IS THERE HAVE BEEN GATEKEEPERS.

PARTY PRECINCT CAPTAINS THAT SORT OF GIVE A NOD OFF TO A CANDIDATE AND SAY YOU WILL BE THE ONE TO RUN NEXT.

WE WANT THE WOMEN TO BE THE GATEKEEPERS ENGAGED IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS AND THE GROUPS I AM A PART OF ARE BIG ON THAT.

I'M PROUD TO JOIN REFLECT US WHICH WE WILL BE LAUNCHING THIS YEAR AS WELL.

A NUMBER OF US HAVE BEEN ACTIVISTS IN THE SPACE FOR A LONGTIME LOOKING TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS FROM THE RIGHT AND THE LEFT THAT WHAT IS STANDING IN THE WAY OF JUST GETTING MORE REPRESENTATION?

HOW DO WE GET WOMEN TO STOP PARTICULARLY ON THE RIGHT?

AND I CAN SPEAK TO THAT BECAUSE OF THE WORK.

HOW DO WE GET THEM TO MOVE BEYOND STATE AND LOCAL.

SOMETIMES THEY WANT TO STOP AT STATE.

AND THAT IS ENOUGH FOR ME, I CANNOT SEEK FEDERAL OFFICE AND WORK-LIFE BALANCE AS WELL HOW WE SUPPORT WOMEN AFTER THEY'VE BEEN ELECTED AND GETTING THEM TRANSITIONED INTO OFFICE AND GETTING THEM TALKING ABOUT SHARED VALUES.

>> AND ELEANOR YOU HAVE BEEN IN CONGRESS SOMETIME NOW, AND OF COURSE THERE ARE WAY MORE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE THAN REPUBLICAN WOMEN, WHEN IS THAT GOING TO CHANGE?

>> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT GETTING WOMEN INTERESTED, WE ARE WAY AHEAD OF YOU.

HUGE NUMBERS OF WOMEN RUNNING.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF THEM OR A LARGE PROPORTION 3-1, DEMOCRATIC WOMEN TO REPUBLICAN WOMEN.

THAT IS ON REPUBLICANS.

THERE'S NOTHING THAT KEEPS THEM FROM STEPPING FORWARD.

AND IN TERMS OF PRECINCT CAPTAINS THE WOMEN HAVE NOT BEEN INVITED TO ONE OR WAITED FOR PEOPLE GUARDING THE PRECINCTS AND THAT IS IMPORTANT THAT WOMEN ARE EMPOWERING THEMSELVES TO RUN AND RUNNING FOR OFFICE IS SUCH A HARD THING TO DO THAT IF YOU ARE NOT SELF EMPOWERED YOU WILL NOT BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> I THINK ONE THING I PUSHBACK ON THAT I THINK THERE IS CONSERVATIVE WOMEN GET A LOT OF EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT YOU WILL SAY IT'S GREAT TO HAVE CONSERVATIVE WOMEN THAT RUN EVERYBODY GIVES LIP SERVICE TO THIS.

AND WOMEN ON THE LEFT AND THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA ARE VICIOUS TO CONSERVATIVE WOMEN.

YOU LOOK HOW THE TREATMENT OF SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS AND THE ASSAULT SHE HAS TAKEN.

BECAUSE SHE IS OUT THERE AND BELITTLED FOR HER LOOKS AND CALLED FAT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THE TREATMENT OF "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" FOR CONSERVATIVE WOMEN YOU WOULD NOT HAVE TOLERATED THAT FROM WOMEN ON THE LEFT.

NEVER.

>> YOU MENTION THIS, IS THERE A BACKLASH COMING AGAINST ALL THE PUSH FROM HOLLYWOOD WHICH IS MAINLY LIBERAL, THE PUSH FROM THE PLACES LIKE EMILY'S LIST WHICH HAS 23,000 LOCAL WOMEN ALL PRO-CHOICE RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

ARE CONSERVATIVES GOING TO SAY WAIT A MINUTE LIKE KATHERINE IN THE FRENCH LETTER AND YOU KNOW, ARE THEY GOING TO PUSHBACK AND SAY THIS IS BAD?

AND THIS IS WRONG WITH IT?

AND.

>> WRONG WITH WHAT?

I THINK THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT ISSUE IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ENCOURAGING WOMEN TO GET INVOLVED.

A LOT OF CONSERVATIVE WOMEN LOOK AROUND AND THEY SAY I SEE THAT COMMENTATORS WOMEN WHO GO ON TV LIKE PEOPLE LIKE ME AND YOU GO ON AND YOU WILL HAVE VICIOUS TREATMENT AND BE HUMILIATED OFTEN.

>> AND TOLD WE ARE PART OF PARTIES THAT DON'T LIKE US.

>> EXACTLY AND IT'S OFTEN WOMEN ON THE 11 THAT DO THAT.

THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF HYPOCRISY FOR WOMEN WHO DO NOT ADVOCATE FOR WOMEN ON THE RIGHT.

>> ISN'T THIS AN EXAMPLE HOW ULTIMATELY LIBERAL AND CONSERVATIVE WOMEN ARE JUST NEVER GOING TO GET ALONG?

>> I THINK IN THIS CASE, FIRST OF ALL, ON THE SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS POINT, ANY COMMENTS ABOUT HER APPEARANCE ARE IRRELEVANT AND THAT IS OFFENSIVE AND SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING.

I WANT TO SAY THAT AS A WOMAN ON THE LEFT.

AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK A LOT OF WHAT SHE IS BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR SHE IS DEFENDING A PRESIDENT WHO LIES AND SHE SAYS THINGS THAT ARE LUDICROUS ON A DAILY BASIS.

IT'S HER WORK THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE OF A CONSERVATIVE WOMEN RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

I REMEMBER ATTENDING A COUPLE YEARS AGO -- >> BACKLASH FROM CONSERVATIVE WOMEN, AGAINST THE MOO TOO AND THE -- ME TOO AND THE SOCIAL MEDIA MOVEMENTS.

>> THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, WHAT I SUSPECT IS THAT CONSERVATIVE MEN ARE GOING TO RA TRY TO PRESSURE CONSERVATIVE WOMEN TO LEAD THAT CHARGE FOR THEM.

AND THIS IS AN AREA PERHAPS WHERE WOMEN ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT COULD WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT WOMEN ON THE RIGHT.

>> WE'LL LET HILLARY CHAMPION THAT.

>> SO ARE WE GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE NOBODY CAN FLIRT IN AN OFFICE ANYMORE?

>> I THINK THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CONCERNS ME, IS THAT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS.

A LOT WHAT IS DESCRIBED IS SEXUAL ASSAULT IT IS A CRIME.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS UNWELCOME OVERTURES.

AND MANY PEOPLE MARRY PEOPLE WHO THEY MEET ON THE JOB.

WE DON'T WANT TO OBLITERATE OR MAKE CRIMINAL ORDINARY HUMAN RELATIONS BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN.

AND THAT IS WHY WE NEED -- I WANT THE EVERYDAY WOMEN TO COME FORWARD.

BECAUSE WHAT WE'VE BEEN HEARING ARE CLEARLY OVER THE TOP STUFF THAT THE -- >> IT DOESN'T SCARE OFF MEN?

>> FROM BAD BEHAVIOR?

>> LIKE PEOPLE -- >> LIKE PEOPLE WHO WATCH HARVEY WEINSTEIN LOSE HIS CAREER AND LIFE AND GETS PUNCHED IN A RESTAURANT.

>> YOU HOPE SO BUT I THINK THERE IS A FEAR THAT PEOPLE NOT THAT LONG AGO FOLKS WERE TALKING ABOUT VICE-PRESIDENT PENCE'S DECISION THAT HE SAID HE DID NOT WANT TO HAVE CLOSED DOOR MEETINGS WITH WOMEN.

AND WAS DEFENSIVE ABOUT THAT.

I WORKED FOR A MAN WITH A SIMILAR SENSE YOU DID NOT WANT TO BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT BEHAVIOR.

AND THAT'S UNDERSTANDABLE.

>> IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> IT IS THAT WAY BECAUSE OF HIS FAITH HE DID NOT EVOLVE TO THAT BECAUSE HE THOUGHT THAT WOMEN ON THE LEFT WERE PUSHING TOO HARD AGAINST -- >> NOT WOMEN ON THE LEFT.

BUT THERE IS A FEAR OF BEING ACCUSED OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT THERE IS.

I MEAN WOULDN'T YOU BE?

>> WHY ARE WE VILIFYING DECISION IF IT IS ROOTED ROOTED IN HIS FAITH?

WE ARE A COUNTRY OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

>> BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT RELIGION IN GOVERNMENT.

OR RELIGION IS FINE AT HOME, AND IN YOUR CHURCH, BUT THEY DON'T WANT LAWS MADE ON THE BASIS AND HE IS THE VICE-PRESIDENT AND HE HAS A LOT OF POWER.

>> CERTAINLY.

AND LOOK, I SEE BOTH SIDES BUT WHAT ABOUT A WOMAN WHO RUNS FOR OFFICE AND IS A HIJAB WEARER?

>> THIS IS NOT EQUIVALENT THIS IS MALE DOMINANCE IN ACTION WHEN WOMEN ARE BEING DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> THE SAME REASON YOU HAVE A NURSE WITH YOUR DOCTOR.

>> SERIOUS ISSUE THAT WOMEN ARE NOT HAVING ACCESS TO POWER.

>> WE HAVE LIMITED TIME.

WOMEN DEMOCRATIC WOMEN ARE TALKING ABOUT PLANNING TO WEAR BLACK TO THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS AND WHAT IS THE POINT OF THAT?

AND DO YOU THINK IT WILL UPSET THE PRESIDENT OR WHAT KIND OF REACTION ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

>> WE ARE WEARING BLACK AT THE STATE OF THE UNION ON JANUARY 30TH, IN ORDER TO MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT OUR OWN INSTITUTION.

THIS HAS -- SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS NOT JUST OUT IN THE ETHER IT'S RIGHT IN THE INSTITUTION THAT REPRESENTS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> WHAT ABOUT IN THE WHITE HOUSE?

>> AND WE NEED TO SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH WOMEN AROUND THE COUNTRY.

AND I MUST SAY THAT I DON'T THINK CERTAINLY FOR ME, MY MOTIVATION IS NOT TO GIVE IT TO TRUMP.

IT'S WHAT I RESPECT FROM THE WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD AND THE WOMEN AROUND THE COUNTRY.

AND LET ME EMPHASIZE AS LONG AS WE ARE HAVING A BIPARTISAN MOMENT WITH WOMEN OF ALL BACKGROUNDS, AND ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT THAT IS WHAT IT IS, LET'S TRY TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

>> AND HAVE REPUBLICAN WOMEN BEEN INVITED TO WEAR BLACK?

>> YES, OF COURSE ALL INVITED TO WEAR BLACK.

>> ARE ANY OF THEM DOING IT?

>> THAT WILL TELL US SOMETHING, WON'T IT.

>> IF IT'S ABOUT SOLIDARITY AND NOT PUSHING BACK ON THE ADMINISTRATION WHICH I'VE BEEN VOCAL ABOUT BUT I WANT TO GIVE THIS ADMINISTRATION A CHANCE TO MAKE IT RIGHT WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

SHOW US THAT YOU CARE ABOUT EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN IF WOMEN ARE COMING TOGETHER THEN WOMEN ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE SHOULD BE WEARING BLACK.

>> BUT YOU ARE MAKING A DECISION DOING THIS DURING THIS DURING THE PRESIDENT'S STATE OF THE UNION IF IT'S NOT ABOUT THE PRESIDENT, THE STATE OF THE UNION IS ABOUT THE PRESIDENT.

>> IT IS THE ONLY TIME WE ALL GET TOGETHER IN THE SAME ROOM.

>> BUT YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT WHAT IS THE MESSAGE IF IT IS NOT ANTI-PRESIDENT IT WILL COME OFF THAT WAY.

>> AND THE MARCHS COMING UP TO A YEAR HENCE SINCE THE FIRST BIGGEST MARCH IN THE WORLD EVER, I THINK, TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THAT, THE PLANNING, HOW MANY DO YOU EXPECT TO TURNOUT AND WHAT IS THE MESSAGE?

>> YEAH.

I KNOW THAT THIS YEAR, THE WOMEN'S MARCH ORGANIZERS FOCUSED ON TRANSITIONING FROM A GENERAL PROTEST IN ONE THAT IS ELECTORAL FOCUSED.

THERE'S CONFERENCE HAPPENING IN LAS VEGAS UP COMING ON THE ANNIVERSARY.

AND WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO IS FOCUS ON GETTING PEOPLE OUT TO THE POLLS AND FOCUS ON TRYING TO ENCOURAGE MORE WOMEN CANDIDATES AND THERE WILL BE LOCAL MARCHS THAT TAKE PLACE.

I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY WILL BE AS BIG AS LAST YEAR.

>> ARE THEY WEARING BLACK OR PINK?

AND IT DOES IT JUST BECOME A FASHION STATEMENT?

>> WEAR WHAT YOU WANT.

AS LONG AS YOU ARE GETTING THE WORK DONE, I DO NOT CARE.

>> I HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN INVITATION TO THE MARCH.

AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN PROMINENT ON GETTING WOMEN ELECTED.

PEOPLE KNOW I'VE BEEN ON THE RIGHT LEANING SIDE OF THINGS.

>> WE DON'T SEND INVITATIONS, PEOPLE COME.

>> THEY DO, I HAD A FRIEND WHO WAS PRO HILLY INVITED TO HAVE A SUITE LAST YEAR'S I DON'T KNOW, HOSPITALITY TENT OF SOME SORT.

SO I WAS A LITTLE APPALLED SHE WAS INVITED I HAD BEEN PUBLIC THAT I WANTED TO BE INVITED.

>> THIS IS NOT ABOUT GETTING WOMEN ELECTED IT'S ABOUT GETTING DEMOCRATS ELECTED.

IT IS A DEMOCRATIC PARTY EVENT.

IT IS NOT A WOMEN EVENT.

>> WE LEARNED OUR LESSON FROM WHEN THERE WAS GREAT EXCITEMENT WHEN HILLARY WAS RUNNING WE DID NOT TRANSLATE THAT INTO VOTES AND WE'VE LEARNED AND WE ARE GOING TO DO IT THIS TIME.

>> LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

PLEASE FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @BONNIEERBE.

BEHIND THE HEADLINES: MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND RECREATIONAL CANNABIS.

THE LIST OF STATES LEGALIZING WEED CONTINUES TO GROW, DESPITE FEDERAL LAWS PROHIBITING IT.

WOMEN HAVE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THIS GROWING INDUSTRY, AND ACCORDING TO DR. CHANDA MACIAS, OWNER OF THE NATIONAL HOLISTIC HEALING CENTER IN WASHINGTON DC MINORITY WOMEN MAY BE THE NEXT PIONEERING LEADERS AND ENTREPRENEURS IN THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY.

>> THE MARE MAIER INDUSTRY IS IS THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY IS SO APPEALING FOR WOMEN BECAUSE WE ARE NURTURERS.

WE LOVE OUR FAMILIES, WE LOVE OUR CHILDREN, WE WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR THEM.

I THOUGHT WELL IF WE HAD MEDICATION LIKE A CANNABIS IN THE ORAL CARE FORMULATION WOULDN'T IT MAKE SENSE FOR THE TREATMENT OF CANCER AND OTHER ILLNESSES?

>> Dr. MACIAS IS A PIONEER AND LEADER IN THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY.

IN 2015, MACIAS WAS ONE OF FIVE PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON D.C.

AWARDED LICENSES TO OWN AND OPERATE A DISPENSARY.

AND SHE IS ONE OF ONLY TWO BLACK WOMEN TO OWN A DISPENSARY IN THE NATION.

IT WASN'T AN EASY ROAD.

SHE COULDN'T FIND MENTORS AND HAD TO NAVIGATE HER OWN PATH.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE ANY ACCESS.

I AM THE ACCESS TO OTHER WOMEN.

I AM THE ACCESS TO OTHER MINORITIES.

I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS FIRST STARTING OUT, AND I HAD NO EXPERIENCE IN THIS FIELD BECAUSE IT'S SO NEW.

THERE IS NO TRAPEING FOR THIS AND FORMAL EDUCATION.

>> ACCORDING TO THE MARIJUANA BUSINESS DAILY AT ONE POINT WOMEN HELD 36% OF EXECUTIVE LEVEL ROLES IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

BUT AS THE MARKET MATURES WOMEN APPEAR TO BE LOSING GROUND.

NOW IT'S DOWN TO 27%.

STILL FIVE POINTS HIGHER THAN THE 22% AVERAGE.

>> WE SHOULD NOT BE HAPPY ABOUT THE ATTRITION RATE OF WOMEN LEAVING THIS INDUSTRY.

AND THEY FACE DIFFERENT BARRIERS.

>> STILL Dr. MACIAS IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE OF WOMEN IN CANNABIS BECAUSE IT IS A YOUNG, GROWING BUSINESS.

29 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA APPROVED MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

ONLY EIGHT STATES AND DC ALLOW RECREATIONAL USAGE.

JEFF SESSIONS ANNOUNCED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL PROSECUTE ANYONE IN POSSESSION OF AND OR SELLING MARIJUANA IN THE STATES WHERE IT HAS BEEN LEGALIZED.

AFRICAN-AMERICANS ARE FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY THAN WHITES TO BE INCARCERATED FOR DRUGS AND THIS IS PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT OF MACIAS BEING A MOTHER OF FOUR.

>> I HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST WHERE MY OLDER CHILDREN HAVE DISCLOSED THAT YOUR MOTHER IS A PROFESSIONAL IN THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY AND DISPERSES MEDICINE.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN VERY BRUTAL IN CALLING ME NAMES LIKE A DRUG DEALER, UNFIT PARENT.

AND WHAT I SAY IS THAT I LOVE MY CHILDREN.

>> MACIAS SAYS THE SCIENCE PROVES THE HEALING PROPERTIES OF CANNABIS.

TODAY SHE IS THE MARKET LEADER FOR DC, OHIO AND MARYLAND FOR WOMEN GROW.

THE FIRST PROFESSIONAL NETWORK THAT CONNECTS AND EMPOWERS WOMEN IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

SHE HOSTS EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS TO DISCUSS THE BENEFITS.

>> IN ORDER TO DESTIGMATIZE THE NEGATIVE CONNOTATION OF MARIJUANA, WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY EDUCATE PEOPLE ON THE TRUE BENEFITS OF IT.

PEOPLE HAVE SEEN HOW IT'S IMPACTED THEIR LIVES.

THEY HAVE SEEN THE CHANGES IT HAS HAD IN THEIR HEALTHCARE.

AND DESPITE THE CHANGING LAWS THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MEDICATE.

>> WHY ARE THE NUMBER OF WOMEN IN THIS BUSINESS DROPPING PRECIPITOUSLY?

>> IT'S HARD TO TELL WHY THEY ARE DROPPING.

IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE STATES.

THERE IS A LOT OF CONFUSION AND WE'VE SEEN POLLS THAT SAY MORE THAN HALF OF AMERICANS SUPPORT THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA.

AND THIS IS MEDICINAL MARIJUANA.

SO I THINK THE AMOUNT OF CONFUSION THAT IS OUT THERE BETWEEN STATE AND FEDERAL AND WHERE WE FALL AS A COUNTRY ON MEDICINAL MARIJUANA IS CONFUSING.

PERHAPS THEY ARE TEPID TO ENTER THAT SPACE.

>> WOMEN GOT IN ON THE GROUND FLOOR IT IS A NEW INDUSTRY.

>> BUT IT ALSO REQUIRES A LOT OF ACCESS TO CAPITAL TO GET THOSE LICENSES WHICH ARE LICENSES TO PRINT MONEY.

IF YOU GET UP WITH OF THOSE YOU ARE RICH FOR LIFE.

>> AND KEEPING THE BUSINESS GOING FOR CAPITAL REASONS IS REALLY THE PARAMOUNT REASON BUT I'M MORE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT SESSIONS IS DOING TO DRIVE BACK THE INDUSTRY AND PEOPLE OF EVERY SEX AND RACE THAN I AM ABOUT THIS.

BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A NEW INDUSTRY I THINK WE HAVE TIME.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE LOWER BARRIERS FOR WOMEN AND WOMEN OF COLOR PARTICULARLY TO GET INTO THE INDUSTRY?

BECAUSE IT IS SO NEW?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE -- WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING IS ENCOURAGING MORE WOMEN INTO LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN ALL SORTS OF BUSINESSES INCLUDING THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY.

>> AND ACCESS TO CAPITAL.

YOU CANNOT GET A LICENSE UNLESS YOU ARE RICH AND WHEN YOU GET IT YOU GET RICHER.

SO ACCESS TO CAPITAL IS UNFORTUNATELY, THE WAY FOR MANY WOMEN AND BROWN SKINNED WOMEN TO GET INTO INDUSTRIES AND THAT IS NOT HAPPENING SO FAR.

THAT'S IT FOR THIS EDITION.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND WEB OUR WEBSITE, PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY AND WHETHER YOU AGREE OR THINK TO THE CONTRARY, SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

[♪♪] FOUNDATION.

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