Brittney Griner has been released from Russian jail after being charged with possession of cannabis products
Brittney Griner, who shot to fame as one of America’s premier female basketball stars, was recently released from a Russian jail. She shot to fame as a 6’ 8” (over two meters) female basketball player who was known for dunking basketballs during the game, something no other female player before here had ever done. She was also a defensive standout who could dominate a game on both sides of the floor.
After winning a national championship at Baylor University, she went on to become a star in America’s professional women’s league, the WNBA. Although there was great fame attached to her name, the WNBA salaries lag far behind that of the men in the NBA. This is what led Brittney, and many other women’s players, to supplement her income by playing internationally in Russia.
Brittney Griner, who shot to fame as one of America’s premier female basketball stars, was recently released from a Russian jail. She shot to fame as a 6’ 8” (over two meters) female basketball player who was known for dunking basketballs during the game, something no other female player before here had ever done. She was also a defensive standout who could dominate a game on both sides of the floor.
In spite of numerous diplomatic efforts to secure her release, Griner was sentenced to nine years in one of Russia’s most notorious prisons. Thankfully, the American state department was able to negotiate her release, but it didn’t come without a cost.
America basically swapped Viktor Bout, a notorious arms and drug dealer known as the “Lord of War” for Griner.
Although it’s wonderful to have Griner back home, the entire episode only underscores the insanity of cannabis prohibition as well as Russia’s notoriously corrupt legal system. Throughout her entire ordeal, there was never any doubt that Russian president Vladimir Putin was pulling the strings. It’s unlikely Russia will reform their cannabis laws anytime soon and there are many other people imprisoned there for the same “crime”. Until that happens, G13 Mag highly recommends cannabis lovers avoid traveling to Russia.
G13 Club is a private social club for medical and recreational cannabis users based in Barcelona. It is also a space for musical and artistic development that promotes a multitude of activities focused on the expression and exhibition of urban, hip hop, reggae and skate culture.