350,000 Americans with no name Brittney Griner ‘wrongly jailed’ for cannabis.

The Haymaker is Leafly Senior Editor Bruce Barcott’s opinion column on cannabis politics and culture.

ESPN reported earlier today that the Biden administration has officially designated WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner as an American citizen who was “wrongly detained” by Russian authorities.

This action is important because it could lead to Griner’s eventual release on a prisoner swap similar to the one that brought home former US Marine Trevor Reed last week.

This is excellent news for Griner, her loved ones, and her supporters—of which I am one.

But forgive me if this step also leaves me appalled and outraged.

What’s going on here?

ESPN reporter TJ Quinn, who worked diligently on the Griner story, coaxed this confirmation from the FBI last night: “The State Department has determined that the Russian Federation wrongfully arrested US citizen Brittney Griner. With that determination, the President’s Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Roger Carstens, will lead the interagency team to ensure the release of Brittney Griner.”

Quinn also reported that Bill Richardson, the former US Ambassador to the United Nations, has agreed to work as a negotiator on Griner’s case.

Again: good news. But do you know who is also “unlawfully detained” by the police authorities? 350,000 Americans in their own country. Every damn year.

350,150 arrested for weed in 2020

According to the latest available FBI data, 350,150 Americans were arrested on cannabis-related charges in 2020. More than 90% of those arrested were called for simple possession, which is now legal for all adults in 18 states.

These arrests are backed by the same US government that is now arguing that Brittney Griner was “wrongly arrested” for allegedly possessing cannabis vape cartridges while crossing an international border.

Just to be clear, it is now official US government policy that the arrest of an American for cannabis possession in Russia is an unlawful abuse of state power, while the arrest of 350,000 Americans for the same victimless act is an appropriate expression of law enforcement.

I have it.

Related

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Kevin Allen also deserves the support of the US government

This quote from Quinn’s ESPN story really added an extra punch: “The U.S. government,” said a State Department official, “will continue to make efforts to provide Ms. Griner with adequate support.”

Ms. Griner needs and deserves support. So does Kevin Allen, pictured left, who is currently serving a life sentence without parole in a Louisiana prison for selling $20 worth of weed.

Edwin Rubis could use some help too. He’s doing 40 years in federal prison for cannabis distribution. Don’t forget Moe Taher. He has served 7 years of a 25 year sentence for selling cannabis.

These are just some of the most egregious examples of wrongly imprisoned Americans. Their cases were picked up by the good people at the Last Prisoner Project. Hundreds of thousands of others are derailed by low cannabis charges each year. They may not be in prison, but they still suffer from the long-term effects of a weed lockdown.

Put Biden’s feet in the fire

Joe Biden promised to decriminalize marijuana. That was almost three years ago. To date, President Joe Biden has done nothing to fulfill that promise.

We’re tired of waiting. More than two-thirds of Americans now support the legalization of cannabis. Voters from both parties support the end of the federal ban. Cannabis arrests are senseless and cruel no matter where they take place.

And yet here we are with Joe Biden’s State Department pointing an accusatory finger at a foreign nation for arresting an American for alleged possession of a small amount of cannabis.

You may not see them, but 350,000 Americans are pointing their fingers at you, Joe.

The Hay Maker: This is where things whirl around

Bruce Barcott

Leafly senior editor Bruce Barcott oversees news, investigations and feature projects. He is a Guggenheim Fellow and the author of Weed the People: The Future of Legal Marijuana in America.

Check out Bruce Barcott’s articles

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