Brittney Griner: A Russian Hostage For American Hypocrisy
In Russia on Thursday, July 29th, Brittney Griner was sentenced to 9 years in prison for drug possession and smuggling. The prosecutor requested at least 9 1/2 out of the 5 to 10 sentencing years as well as a fine of 1 million rubles. Prior to the sentencing, Griner pleaded emotionally, stating that she had no intention of breaking Russian law, and asked for leniency. Nonetheless, her outcome has rallied critics, many of which including her lawyers suggest that her verdict was unruly and unfair. When comparing Griner’s sentencing to other people convicted for the same crimes in Russia, it is understandable as to why her associates believe the ruling to be too harsh. Griner had only possessed less than one gram of cannabis oil, too small for distribution, and only fit for personal use. It is undeniably perplexing as to why she is receiving almost the maximum sentence for her crimes.
Since her detainment on February 17th, Griner’s arrest has been broadcasted around the world, and has also gained the attention of the United States government. Now, it seems as though Russia is narrowing its efforts to negotiate with the United States to swap a Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for the release of Brittney Griner.
Is Brittney Griner a Hostage?
It is without a doubt that Brittney Griner is being utilized as a Russian hostage. Griners charges being undeniably inflated and being used as an international bargaining chip for the release of a Soviet weapon distributor is more than enough of a reason to be considered a hostage. A conviction, especially of a foreign citizen, should be met with a fair trail and sentencing. Hostages, however, are prisoners meant to “compel a third party.” In Griner’s case, she was given almost the maximum sentencing for possessing only 0.702 grams of hashish oil, and has certainly compelled the U.S. government in proposing a prisoner swap. Countries including the United States face the fact that their citizens may have to accept the legal consequences they set out for themselves when visiting foreign countries. In most cases, the punishments are dealt fairly, and do not warrant foreign intervention. Unlike most cases, Griner’s conviction is critiqued as being completely unfair, and is now being taken upon the U.S. government to possibly feeding into Russia’s demands.
Controversy Behind Griner’s Release
When the Biden administration announced that they will be taking in the responsibility of getting Griner back to U.S. soil, they were met with incredible controversy. What may seem like a noble act is also coated with undeniable hypocrisy. Last Sunday, Elon Musk posted on Twitter sharing his views on the Brittney Griner case. His first Tweet shared a meme expressing the irony in how the United States is willing to trade a “Russian war criminal to free a woman’s basketball player in jail for weed.” Back in 2020, Musk had already criticized the U.S. government on Twitter for convicting marijuana offenders. “Selling weed literally went from major felony to essential business (open during pandemic) in much of America and yet many are still in prison, doesn’t make sense, isn’t right.”
What Does Griner’s Freedom Mean for Cannabis Convictions in the United States?
Within Griner’s context, being labelled a hostage seems justifiable, however, that would also make the actions of the United States’ cannabis convictions unjustifiable. If we broaden our perspective into the bigger picture, her freedom may come at a greater price to the U.S. than just releasing a Soviet arms dealer. If the Biden administration agrees to any prisoner swaps pertaining to Griner, it would be the greatest disservice to the over 40,000 individuals incarcerated for cannabis related offenses.
Griner faces 9 years in a Russian prison while some people in the United States still face life in prison for non-violent cannabis charges. In one such case, Allen Russell, a 38-year-old in Mississippi, was sentenced in 2019 to life in prison as a result of possessing 1.5 ounces of marijuana. Despite the varying amounts between Russell and Griner’s cannabis in possession, both rulings are incredibly harsh. Unfortunately, there is little discussion from the Biden administration for a solution in releasing cannabis offenders locally other than to release Griner. Whether she knows it or not, her release to the United States and freedom from prison may be the catalyst necessary to expunge non-violent cannabis offenses nationwide. If this is the case, we can anticipate a radical change in cannabis politics while also giving back the lives of tens of thousands, as well as better the lives of those with prior records. Now, we are eagerly awaiting how the U.S. government will resolve the current situation, and find out whether or not Brittney Griner will be the turning point for ending American hypocrisy in cannabis legislation.
