# Why no critical discussion on Brittney Griner's drug bust? {She's been released as of 2022-12-08} **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 27, 2022, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668 "2022-07-27T20:50:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/81 "2022-07-29T18:49:32Z")
The stuff she possessed were, to my understanding, known as “510 cartridges” filled with hashish oil. These are screwed into and used with battery-heated “pens” (as they are the size of a pen). The cartridges are about the size of an ink refill for semi-fountain pens. She apparently had several yet not dozens. I don’t know what they’d look like to an X-ray yet they’d certainly be findable in a baggage search (I presume she was subject to this for whatever reason). These are not “Midnight Express” amounts and she likely brought the carts in and was leaving. IMO she was setup (like a bowling pin) and while I (who have traveled in and out of Russia a dozen times and lived there) would not get such treatment, I am okay with the US State Dept getting her out of there even if there was some trade. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/82 "2022-07-29T18:52:46Z")
My understanding is that the drug-sniffing dog pinged on her luggage, which was the reason for the search. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/83 "2022-07-29T18:54:57Z")
I think it’s relevant here that Griner is not just an American, but a Black, openly gay, American. She represents everything that Putin and Trump fear. The symbolism of her being targeted for arrest is obvious. Yes, going to Russia at all was stupid, and carrying in cannabis even more so. Doesn’t mean she isn’t a victim. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/84 "2022-07-29T18:58:43Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The political situation in Russia will calm down in a year or two. A resonable deal can be made for a prisoner swap. One that doesn’t include a major arms dealer and possibly a Russian asset. I highly doubt the political situation is going to calm down any time soon, Putin doesn’t give a fuck about “reasonable”, and I think she was grabbed specifically to force the U.S. into this deal. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/85 "2022-07-29T18:59:51Z")
Reading that TMZ story, she doesn’t actually admit to having “forgotten” the hash oil was there, or to having “accidentally” packed it or anything like that. She says she _doesn’t understand_ how they got in her bags, but admits that she might have accidentally left them there. Which seems to leave open the possibility that the “evidence” was planted, and the Russians either knew that she actually did use cannabis (thus making the false accusations more credible) or just got lucky. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/86 "2022-07-29T19:02:35Z")
> [@Coriolanus](#): > > known as “510 cartridges” filled with hashish oil. They are the most common type of cannabis cartridges, with 510 specifying the thread pattern. Some sellers use a proprietary thread/latching system and you have to use their batteries. Non-510 systems are often called “pods”. I’ve never heard anyone call the stuff inside the cartridge or pod “hashish oil”. Some sellers call their material “distillate” some “live liquid resin” and there are other terms as well depending on the method used to extract the THC from the plant material. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/87 "2022-07-29T19:08:02Z")
Ukraine has captured some important Russians. Perhaps one of them is desirable enough for a trade? Griner goes to Ukraine and then home through Poland. That’s one possibility. But I realize the Russians want Viktor Bout. They can have him resupplied and back in business very quickly. Arming people in conflicts that align with Putins interests. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/88 "2022-07-29T19:09:29Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > My understanding is that the drug-sniffing dog pinged on her luggage, which was the reason for the search Customs don’t need a reason, plus any dog will “ping” if the handler wants them to. > [@Thing.Fish](#): > > Which seems to leave open the possibility that the “evidence” was planted, and the Russians either knew that she actually did use cannabis (thus making the false accusations more credible) or just got lucky. I said she was “setup” because of your middle guess - the Russians likely knew what she had and that they would find it. I assume she brought the stuff in - only because I’ve lived in Russia and while I am not a celebrity it is difficult to find anything illegal besides bootleg Vodka. ETA: Aslo Black Caviar and a liquid sold OTC in pharmacies called “Korvalol” that has appreciable amounts of Phenobarbitol. But good look bringing either abroad ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/89 "2022-07-29T19:12:59Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > That’s one possibility. But I realize the Russians want Viktor Bout. They can have him resupplied and back in business very quickly. Arming people in conflicts that align with Putins interests. Is there really any reason they’d care about getting this particular guy back? I mean, it seems like all you’d need to be an international arms dealer is some arms and contact info for shady characters around the globe, and Russia could easily provide anyone with both of those. What irreplaceable skills or knowledge does Bout have? ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/90 "2022-07-29T19:34:34Z")
> [@Chad\_Sudan](#): > > That said, 10 years in prison (as she may be facing) is an excessive enough sentence that the U.S. government is right to try to intervene on her behalf. Why? Assuming that is the normal punishment in Russia then why should we hold them to US norms on sentencing? ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/91 "2022-07-29T19:40:52Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Every media outlet I’ve seen has reported that she’s in custody because she brought 2 grams of hash oil into Russia. No, two cartridges containing ~0.70 grams between the two of them (obviously at least one had been partially used). Even under the draconian Russian laws, for a Russian resident that would be simple possession and about an $80 fine (5,000 rubles) or 15 days detention. And in fact I can easily buy that she accidentally packed that small of an amount in a jacket pocket or some such thing. The charges are grotesquely disproportionate to the actual offense. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/92 "2022-07-29T19:43:29Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Why? Assuming that is the normal punishment in Russia then why should we hold them to US norms on sentencing? nvmd. Tamerlane answered it. ---
**Author:** ![Chad\_Sudan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chad_sudan/32/4509_2.png) [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/93 "2022-07-29T19:47:27Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Even under the draconian Russian laws, for a Russian resident that would be simple possession and about an $80 fine (5,000 rubles) or 15 days detention. Now, that is an extremely relevant datapoint. Can I ask where you found it? ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/94 "2022-07-29T19:50:51Z")
> [@Chad\_Sudan](#): > > Can I ask where you found it? I had the same question, but found this: > [@](#): > > In Russia, cannabis is illegal. An individual possessing less than 6 grams of cannabis or two grams of hash can be fined or jailed for up to 15 days. Possessing any more than that becomes a more serious criminal offense. > > Ms Griner was accused of having less than a gram. > > “Being sufficiently aware that the movement of narcotic drugs is not allowed… no later than February 17, 2022 at an unspecified location under unspecified circumstances from an unidentified person [Ms Griner] bought two cartridges for personal use, which contained 0.252 grams and 0.45 grams of hash oil, totaling 0.702 grams,” the prosecutor said during the trail, TASS reported. > **[What is hashish oil and how did it land Brittney Griner in a Russian jail?](https://sports.yahoo.com/hashish-oil-did-land-brittney-170922064.html)** > > Brittney Griner was finally released on Thursday 8 December after 10 months in Russian detention ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/95 "2022-07-29T19:51:16Z")
> [@Chad\_Sudan](#): > > Now, that is an extremely relevant datapoint Can I ask where you found it? [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_in_Russia#Reforms) ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/96 "2022-07-29T22:38:43Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …nothing says “nobody’s ever heard of him” more than editorial space on the Washington Post and the multiple articles published about him just _today_. Yes, but had you heard of him last week? Me neither. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/97 "2022-07-29T22:46:44Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > Is there really any reason they’d care about getting this particular guy back? I don’t know. Viktor Bout does have experience selling weapons and has contacts. His International contacts are 10 years out of date. Apparently the Russians are interested in a possible trade. The potential deal was covered on Fridays, ABC Evening News. Griner seems like a good person that’s in way over her head. She had Russians cheering when she played. The change from star athlete to prisoner must be very confusing. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/98 "2022-07-29T23:12:30Z")
I have seen a _lot_ of commenters of a conservative bent on Facebook saying that Griner should be left to rot in a Russian prison because “she’s proven that she hates America” by kneeling for the national anthem. We’re still dealing with _that_ shit almost two years after Trump left office. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2022, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/99 "2022-07-30T00:33:14Z")
Her daring to be a Black outspoken athlete is the main reason people want her made an example of by Russia. Standard culture war stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2022, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668/100 "2022-07-30T01:18:33Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Yes, but had you heard of him last week? …of course. > [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Me neither. One really shouldn’t make assumptions about what somebody else does or doesn’t know. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-critical-discussion-on-brittney-griners-drug-bust-shes-been-released-as-of-2022-12-08/968668.md?page=6)