Brittney Griner Detained in Russia... Over Cannabis Oil.

This blog post is not going to be an argument about whether or not cannabis should be legal in various states or countries. But, I will say I find it astounding that Brittney Griner is being detained in Russia because she had vape cartridges that contained cannabis oil.

Britney Griner's mugshot after service officials found cannabis cartridges.

link: https://people.com/sports/wnba-star-brittney-griner-seen-for-the-first-time-since-russian-arrest-in-undated-mugshot/

Brittney Griner, a seven-time WNBA All-Star, currently plays for UMMC Ekaterinburg, a female basketball team that competes in the Russian Premiere League.

Griner shooting a free throw before she was detained in Russia

Link: https://www.wsj.com/articles/brittney-griner-russia-wnba-ukraine-11646750749

On March 5th, Russian TV showed a photo of Griner at the Russian police station. She was going through customs when service officials found a vape cartridge that contained cannabis. Since then, there is a pending criminal case against Griner into "a large scale transportation of drugs, which can carry a sentence of up to 10 years behind bars in Russia."

Griner at Moscow Aiport before being detained

Link: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/brittney-griner-detained-russia-us-officials-push-access-wnba-star-rcna20688

The law is the law, and she probably should have thought a little more into it before trying to bring cannabis in her luggage in a different country. That was a mistake on her end that could have easily been combatted.

However, I just hate that this entire dispute is over a VAPE cartridge. Griner is now being detained in Russia, which is extremely unsafe as tensions are rising between Russia and Ukraine. I mean, literally all of the WNBA players have left Russia and returned home safely. I cannot imagine being Griner right now; vulnerable, remorseful, and alone.

Back to what I said earlier, I do not want to make this post about whether or not weed should be legal. I think what is most important right now is that everyone should empathize with Griner; everybody makes mistakes, and unfortunately, mistakes can cost you big time, like right now. What she needs right now is love and support. I think people are quick to judge people with stardom because it can be so easy, especially when you don't know them.

Griner embracing her teammates

Link: https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/wnba/mercury/2021/05/06/brittney-griners-return-mercury-brings-back-social-media-critics/4975064001/

Brittney Griner should never be remembered for being detained in Russia because she had weed pens, she should be remembered for the impact she made and will continue to make on the court, for her continual support of female athletic representation, and for changing the game of women's basketball as we know it.

Griner awarded a gold medal at the 2020 Olympic Games

Link: https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/other-sports/2021/08/07/texan-brittney-griner-leads-us-womens-basketball-to-seventh-consecutive-olympic-gold-medal/

Let's pray that, with the tensions rising between Russia and Ukraine, that her detainment will not be used as a tool for leverage as she is a famous basketball star. Let's pray that she makes it home safely to her family and teammates and that she will be able to continue her career and keep balling out while revolutionizing the game of women's basketball.

My thoughts are with Brittney Griner, the Griner family, and her teammates during this time.