Phoenix Star Brittney Griner Had Doctor's Note For Cannabis: Lawyer

KHIMKI, RUSSIA — Phoenix Mercury superstar Brittney Griner has an American doctor's note recommending she use medical cannabis to treat pain, her lawyer said Friday at her drug trial in Russia.

“The attending physician gave Brittney recommendations for the use of medical cannabis," said her lawyer, Maria Blagovolina, according to The Associated Press. "The permission was issued on behalf of the Arizona Department of Health.”

However, medical marijuana is illegal in Russia.

Griner, 31, was arrested at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport in February after customs officials found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage. She has been detained in Russia for more than four months. She faced 10 years in prison if convicted of large-scale transportation of drugs.

Griner pleaded guilty in court last week and admitted having the canisters, but said she had no criminal intent and said they were in her bags because she hastily packed.

Griner told the judge she brought the oil in "inadvertently" and asked the court for mercy. Her guilty plea came a day after the White House said President Joe Biden reassured Griner's wife he was working to free her as soon as possible.

Biden's conversation with Cherelle Griner came after Brittney Griner personally appealed to the president in a handwritten letter delivered to the White House on the Fourth of July. Griner said she feared she would spend the rest of her life detained in Russia, and asked Biden not to "forget about me and the other American Detainees."

Fewer than 1 percent of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted. Acquittals can be overturned, unlike in U.S. courts.

Griner's next hearing is scheduled for July 26. Her detention has been authorized through Dec. 20, though her lawyers, have said they expect it to conclude in early August.