A doctor’s note recommending medical marijuana for Brittney Griner was submitted in Russian court Friday, according to several reports, and lawyers for the WNBA star’s legal team delivered it. Griner, who has been jailed in Russia since February, pleaded guilty last week to criminal charges for bringing hashish oil-laced vape cartridges into a Moscow airport.
Medical marijuana prescriptions were made by the attending physician, Griner’s lawyer Maria Blagovolina told the AP. Arizona’s health department has granted authorization to conduct the study.
For Griner’s case, the next hearing will take place on July 26th
In court last week, Griner said she had no intention of breaking the law when she packed hashish oil. Phoenix Mercury center Tamika Catchings was returning to Russia in February to play for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the WNBA offseason when Russian officials detained her on charges of narcotics smuggling. In Russia, hashish oil is prohibited.
Yevgenia Belyakova, UMMC Ekaterinburg’s team captain, and director Maxim Ryabkov all praised Griner’s character during a hearing Thursday. When asked about Griner’s “excellent qualities” as a player, Ryabkov praised her “personal contribution to the team’s spirit.”
The U.S. State Department classed Griner as being “wrongfully detained” in May
They moved her case to the office of the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs. Since her trial is no longer ongoing, the US government can begin negotiating for her release immediately.
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Brittney Griner’s Lawyers Inform the Russian Court that Medical Marijuana Was Prescribed to Her
