WNBA basketball player Brittney Griner is still in a Russian prison after her appeal was denied by their court system. The star women’s basketball player has been in custody since February of this year. She was convicted of drug trafficking after she “mistakenly” brought vape cartridges with marijuana in them along with hash oil. Such an action would also be an offense in the United States. The only issue is the excessive length of the prison sentence and also the fact that a foreign power has a low-level celebrity in custody.
Marijuana activists are protesting in the United States in Brittney Griner’s favor due to their political motive of legalizing the drug. Other people have written op-eds and think pieces likening Griner to a political prisoner due to the war in Ukraine. Not much heat, however, has been given to the Biden administration for failing to get her freed from the Russian Federation. Biden was asked about Griner and his response was essentially that they’re trying their best to no avail. The prior administration would most certainly get a ton of negative publicity if an American celebrity languished away in a foreign prison on weed charges.
SOURCES:
Russia Denies Brittney Griner’s Appeal of 9-Year Sentence – YouTube
DC activists rally for Brittney Griner with giant inflatable joint – The Washington Post
Isolation, torment and grueling labor: What Brittney Griner can expect in Russia’s penal colonies
Washington DC Marijuana Advocates Show Support for Brittney Griner With Smokeout in Front of Russian Embassy
Sarah Krivanek Will Be Released from Russian Penal Colony in 10 Days
Brittney Griner’s prison sentence is upheld in a Russian court : NPR
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