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US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on June 27, 2022. – Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
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US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on June 27, 2022. – Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
WNBA Star Brittney Griner has been away from home for over 240 days. She was arrested back in February and was sentenced to nine years in prison. And a lot of people are blaming Russia and its politics for her imprisonment. However, the United States has also been blamed for Griner’s current condition.
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Earlier this year, Russian airport authorities detained Griner for possessing vape cartridges filled with cannabis oil in her belongings. Incidentally, Marijuana is illegal in Russia. Therefore, local authorities arrested the Phoenix Mercury star on drug trafficking charges. She faced trial in a Russian court where she pleaded guilty and admitted that it was an honest mistake on her part.
But that amounted to nothing. Subsequently, the Russian court sentenced her to nine years in prison. Griner has appealed her sentence since then. In fact, she will appear before a court later this month.
Past US policies blamed for the Brittney Griner situation
Griner’s harsh sentence has led to criticism of the Russian government. Many reports have surmised that she is being held as a political hostage and that she was being held due to the consequence of sanctions on Moscow levied by the West. But now some have suggested that this might be a result of Karma from previous policies enacted by the US government.
Years ago, the US states launched a global war against drugs. And they funded it on a humongous scale both domestically and abroad. They put pressure on the UN and foreign countries to change their policies on drugs. And this led to it being banned almost everywhere on the planet including Russia.
Professor Carl Hart, who advocates for responsible drug use by adults, called out this policy following Griner’s imprisonment. He said, “Day 241. #BrittneyGriner languishes behind bars for simply having a psychoactive substance. For decades our country promoted a global war on drugs. “The chickens are coming home to roost. #RepealGlobalDrugProhibition.”
Day 241. #BrittneyGriner languishes behind bars for simply having a psychoactive substance. For decades our country promoted a global war on drugs. “The chickens are coming home to roost.”#RepealGlobalDrugProhibition
— Carl Hart (@drcarlhart) October 16, 2022
While it may not be right to blame the past policies for Griner’s imprisonment. It is worth noting that the US government is currently relaxing several of its laws against drugs.
WATCH THIS STORY: WNBA star Brittney Griner’s saga in Russiaa the entire timeline
And the country which advocated the banning of such substances is now legally allowing their usage of it. Do you agree with Hart’s sentiment? Let us know in the comments below.
