Brittney Griner’s lawyers say WNBA star had cannabis prescription for “chronic and acute pain”

Brittney Griner’s defence attorneys revealed to the court that she has a cannabis prescription during her recent hearing.

Back in February, the Olympic gold medalist was arrested on drug charges after she was accused of carrying hashish oil in her luggage.

At the time of her detainment, Griner was an active player on the Russian basketball team UMMC Ekaterinburg.

Over the last few months, Griner’s lawyers and representatives have worked tirelessly on getting the acclaimed basketball player back to the United State, whose trial started on 1 July.

On 7 July during her second hearing, the US basketball star pleaded guilty to the drug charges, as reported by Reuters.

“I’d like to plead guilty, your honour. But there was no intent. I didn’t want to break the law,” the Phoenix Mercury player told the court. “I’d like to give my testimony later. I need time to prepare.”

On 15 July, Griner returned to court to resume her trial, which featured new information regarding the WNBA’s star use of cannabis.

According to a report from CNN, the Olympic athlete’s lawyers submitted a letter from a US medical centre that permitted Griner to use medical cannabis for her chronic pain.

“On May 18, 2020, Brittney Griner underwent a clinical examination… The patient complained of acute chronic pain due to multiple ankle injuries, as well as injuries and pain sustained during her sports career,” the letter said. “The patient complained of pain in the middle back, lower back, knees and ankle pain.”

Maria Blagovolina, Griner’s lawyer who read the letter during the hearing, then said that the basketball star’s doctor advised her to use cannabis to combat the “chronic and acute pain.”

Alongside the newly submitted cannabis evidence, the court also heard testimonies in Griner’s defence from her UMMC Ekaterinburg teammate Evgeniaya Belyakova and the team’s director Maksim Ryabkov on 14 July.

“I will only say that in the hearings yesterday and today, what became very clear is the tremendous amount of respect and admiration both in the United States and here in Russia where Ms. Griner has been playing basketball for seven years, not only her professional achievements but for her character and integrity,” said Elizabeth Rood, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Moscow.

Currently, the 31-year-old is facing up to 10 years in prison for the aforementioned charges.

Griner’s next hearing has been scheduled to resume on 26 July.

The post Brittney Griner’s lawyers say WNBA star had cannabis prescription for “chronic and acute pain” appeared first on GAY TIMES.