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(upbeat music)

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- Brittney Griner, one of
the WNBA's top players,

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is currently being detained in Russia

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for allegedly having
hashish oil in her luggage.

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That's basically a weed vape, folks.

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In Russia, being charged
with six grams of cannabis,

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or less is a civil offense.

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But the New York Times noted
that Griner could be convicted

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for "large-scale transportation of drugs,"

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and could face up to 10 years of prison.

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While a lot remains unclear,

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what we do know is that
a Black queer woman

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being held for drug charges by
a country currently attacking

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and invading their neighbor
is a bad situation.

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So, why was the two time
Olympic gold medalist

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in Russia in the first place?

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It's common for WNBA
players to play overseas,

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where pay is much more competitive
during their off season.

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Look what Griner can
make a season in Russia

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compared to in the WNBA.

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Yep, that's quadruple her salary.

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So what can be done?

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Unfortunately at the moment, not a lot.

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Though, Secretary of State Antony Blinken

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told NPR over the weekend,

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"Whenever an American is
detained anywhere in the world,

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we, of course, stand ready

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to provide every possible assistance,

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and that includes Russia."

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But Griner isn't just any American.

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She's a high profile figure,

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who's part of not one
at two minority groups.

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One's that Russia isn't exactly known,

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for respecting the rights of.

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Let's hope that Griner can
safely return to her wife

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and family back here in the States.