A former ambassador and a U.S. Senator are urging the Biden Administration to “immediately escalate” diplomatic efforts in order to bring back an American who is imprisoned by the Russians for possessing medical cannabis that was lawfully acquired in Pennsylvania.
Steve Daines, former U.S. Michael McFaul, the Ambassador to Russia, sent a letter on Wednesday to Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting that government designate Marc Fogel a wrongfully detained person and “prioritize his release.”
The letter states that “He is currently serving a 14-year sentence in a Russian jail for drug trafficking because he was found to be in possession of medical marijuana prescribed by a doctor.” This severe sentence is particularly concerning as his health is deteriorating and could result in the sentence being a life-sentence.
Officials pointed out that Fogel’s charges were “similar” to those of Brittney Grinders, an American basketballer who was imprisoned by the Russian authorities for possessing vape cartridges that contained cannabis oil. She was deemed wrongfully detained by the State Department before she was freed as part of the prisoner exchange negotiated by the Biden administration.
In the letter , states that “similar actions are warranted by the State Department and all efforts should be made to secure [Fogel]’s release, including declaring him wrongfully detained.”
In late last year, over two dozen members of Congress asked the State Department for a stepped-up diplomatic effort in order to free Fogel. They called his imprisonment because he was using marijuana to treat chronic pain as “unconscionable.”
Last year, the White House announced that it was actively investigating Fogel’s case. Since then, lawmakers have kept up pressure to ensure they are doing everything possible to secure his freedom.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre referred questions about the administration’s efforts to secure the release other Americans like Fogel, who are held abroad, to the State Department. She said that “every situation is different” but did not want to jump ahead of ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Casey, along with several other Democratic senators, wrote a letter to the State Department last year asking them to label the citizen, a teacher from the United States, as having been “wrongfully held.” This came after bipartisan members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation asked the State Department for escalation in Fogel’s case and drew parallels between Griner’s marijuana-related convictions and Casey’s.
State Department spokesperson Ned Price stated last year that officials consider 11 criteria to determine whether an individual case is a wrongful arrest. If the U.S. believes that due process has been compromised, the arrest was made solely on the basis of being a U.S. citizen, or the individual is innocent, then a wrongful designation would be warranted.
Russia has, on its part, taken a particularly firm stance in opposition to reforming cannabis policies at an international level via the United Nations. It also condemned Canada’s decision to legalize marijuana across the country.
According to an official social media account, the deputy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated last year that the legalization efforts of the U.S.A. and Canada were “of great concern” for the country. It is alarming that some EU member states are considering breaking their drug control obligations.
Congresswoman Urges Biden To Act On Marijuana ‘Now’ As Negotiations Continue On Banking Bill
Photo by Philip Steffan.
The post Former ambassador and GOP senator want Biden’s help freeing a medical marijuana patient jailed in Russia first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
