US basketball star Griner handled accidents with medical hashish, defence argues

US basketball star Griner handled accidents with medical hashish, defence argues [ad_1]

The defence staff of US basketball participant Brittney Griner, detained in Russia on drug costs, argued in court docket on Tuesday that she had used medical hashish to assuage ache from accidents, like many different elite worldwide athletes. Griner, a Ladies's Nationwide Basketball Affiliation (WNBA) star who has performed in Russia throughout the league's offseason, was detained at a Moscow airport on Feb.

17 with vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her baggage. Medical marijuana is illegitimate in Russia. She faces a attainable jail sentence of as much as 10 years in a case that has highlighted the fraught relations between Russia and the US at a time of heightened pressure over Moscow's army intervention in Ukraine.

A narcology professional summoned by the defence argued that medical hashish was extensively used to deal with athletes the place it was authorized, and sometimes had fewer unintended effects than different painkillers. "With the prescription in place, Brittney might have used it for medical however not leisure functions," stated lawyer Maria Blagovolina, associate at Rybalkin, Gortsunyan, Dyakin and Companions legislation agency.

Sporting round-rimmed glasses and a black and gray sweatshirt with "Black Lives For Peace" on the again, Griner listened to the proceedings through a translator.

Earlier than taking a seat within the defendant's cage, she held up a lined sheet of paper with photos of her two greatest mates, a teammate and her spouse Cherelle carrying her #42 Phoenix Mercury jersey, her WNBA staff.

The 2-time Olympic champion, who has appealed to US President Joe Biden to safe her launch, has pled responsible however denied she meant to interrupt Russian legislation.

Griner -- often called "BG" to basketball followers -- will seem in court docket once more on Wednesday, the place she could possibly be referred to as upon to testify. An extra listening to within the case is scheduled for Aug. 2, Griner's defence staff stated.

US officers and outstanding athletes argue the 31-year-old has been wrongly detained and have referred to as for her to be launched instantly. The Russian authorities dismiss the US criticism, with the Kremlin saying the case has nothing to do with politics.

This story has been revealed from a wire company feed with out modifications to the textual content.

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