An American teacher in Russia, Marc Fogel, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for cannabis possession. Fogel was arrested at an airport with 0.6 ounces of cannabis in his luggage after his diplomatic immunity expired. Under Russian law, cannabis possession over 6 grams is considered large-scale drug smuggling. Although Fogel had a medical marijuana card, he was convicted and sentenced to 14 years in a high-security penal colony. The case highlights Russia's strict cannabis laws and the risks of possessing even small amounts for foreign travelers.

1. 7/7/22, 11:35 AM American Teacher in Russia Gets 14-Year Weed Sentence after Diplomatic Immunity Ran Out
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2. 7/7/22, 11:35 AM American Teacher in Russia Gets 14-Year Weed Sentence after Diplomatic Immunity Ran Out
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American Teacher in Russia Gets 14-Year
Weed Sentence after Diplomatic Immunity
Ran Out
Marc Fogel had a medical marijuana card but got accused of large scale cannabis smuggling!
Posted by:
Joseph Billions , today at 12:00am
American Teaching in Russia Sentences to 14 years for "Large Scale" Cannabis Smuggling.
Marc Fogel, an Ex diplomat of the U.S Embassy was recently convicted of cannabis trafficking and sentenced to 14 years
imprisonment. Apart from being an ex-diplomat of the U.S Embassy, Fogel worked as an English teacher in Moscow,
Russia, teaching at the Anglo-American School.

3. 7/7/22, 11:35 AM American Teacher in Russia Gets 14-Year Weed Sentence after Diplomatic Immunity Ran Out
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On the 15th of August 2021, he was arrested for possessing 0.6 ounces (17 grams) of cannabis which he kept in his
luggage. Fogel's arrest was made at the Sheremetyevo International Airport considering his diplomatic immunity
expired in May 2021.
Following the latest Moscow court decree, Fogel was declared guilty of large-scale smuggling of drugs, and illicit storage
of drugs on a large scale without intent to sell. However, according to Fogel, the cannabis in his possession was
prescribed to him in the U.S for the treatment of back pain due to just spinal surgery.
According to Alexander Khurudzhi, a committee member of Moscow human rights, Fogel's claim was backed up by his
medical report which proves he's telling the truth. Fogel also admitted he was ignorant of the law in Russia and believed
recreational cannabis is legal in the country.

4. 7/7/22, 11:35 AM American Teacher in Russia Gets 14-Year Weed Sentence after Diplomatic Immunity Ran Out
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Reports from Interfax, a Russian news agency, indicate that Fogel pleaded guilty to the charges issued against him. On
the 16th of June 2022, the Court in Khimki City ruled that Marc Fogel, a citizen of the United States, was found guilty of
drug smuggling.
The verdict falls under Article 228 Part 2 (possession, manufacture, illegal acquisition, processing, and transportation of
narcotic drugs) and Article 229.1 Part 3 (drug smuggling) of the Russian Criminal Code. The Court ruled that Fogel
should serve a jail time of 14 years in a high-security penal colony.
The verdict reached by the Court materialized in a similar jurisdiction that is evaluating the detainment of Brittney
Griner, a WNBA athlete. He was arrested for the possession of vape cartridges. In support of Griner, Lebron James has
voiced out urging the public and those in power to do everything possible to help bring BG home safely.
According to Uninterrupted on social media, BG has experienced inhumane conditions for more than 100 days in a
Russian prison, disconnected from families and loved ones. Considering BG is an active member of the elite
international sports community and a decorated Olympian, the situation needs to be resolved quickly. If not for
anything but got the sanity of all sports and internationally traveling Americans. The U.S authority must deal with this
human rights issue and commit ever to bringing BG home.
Reports from TMZ affirmed that Roy Jones Jr., a popular boxer and a dual citizen of Russia and the U.S is helping out to
get Grinster released. However, present rumors claim Griner's detention will be until the 7th of July.
As it stands both medical and recreational use of cannabis is illegal in Russia. This won't be the first time an American
citizen will be finding themselves in such a situation. A 29 years old woman traveling to Israel from India in 2019 was
arrested for cannabis possession. A total of 9 grams of cannabis was found in her possession and she was sentenced to
7 months imprisonment. Likewise, a 19-year-old student who traveled down to Russia with the possession of 19 grams
of cannabis was fined 15,000 rubles ($230) and imprisoned for one month in jail.
As regards Griner's cases, Steven Hawkins, the CEO of the U.S. Cannabis Council made some brave claims in an
interview with AZcentral.com. He mentioned that cannabis possession is often a targeting campaign to convict specific
individuals. He affirmed that the Russian government is making use of plausible cannabis possession as a pretext for

5. 7/7/22, 11:35 AM American Teacher in Russia Gets 14-Year Weed Sentence after Diplomatic Immunity Ran Out
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detaining well-known Americans and using them as leverage. He went on to say that Brittney Griner must not be utilized
as a pawn by the Russian Government. He urges the U.S government to use all available resources to secure her release
home.
Russia's Stance on Cannabis
Looking at the current happenings in Russia, the country is quite far from cannabis legalization both for recreational
and medicinal use. Right now, both medicinal and recreational cannabis use is illegal in Russia.
In 2004, a review of the drug laws in Russia was made and changes such as cannabis possession to a maximum of 20
grams were considered an administrative offense with no jail time. However, the country retraced its steps in 2006
when the Russian government annulled No.231 RF Government Decree of May 2004. Hence, the maximum amount was
reduced to 6 grams.
Since the change, cannabis possession of more than 6 grams is deemed a large amount in Russia
(https://cannabis.net/blog/news/the-russian-weed-connection-russian-oligarch-andrey-muraviev-invested-in-cannabis-
and-us-politi.764923). Cannabis possession of more than 100 grams is regarded as “an exceptionally large amount.”
And as things are, both offenses can lead to years-long jail time. However, possession below the 6 grams benchmark
attracts corrective labor or a fine.
The Moscow Times in June 2019, reported that Russia has the highest number of people per capita incarcerated for
drug crimes across Europe. According to Interfax, Russian Health Minister, Yevgeny Bryun, in November 2019 affirmed
that medical cannabis uses are still being researched in the country. But so far, the use of cannabis remains illegal and
will not be legalized unless a strain lacking the psychoactive substance is found.
According to Bryan, 1-3% of individuals who smoke cannabis go on to develop severe psychosis, which includes
schizophrenia (a statement not backed by science), hence, cannabis legalization is not in the picture.
How do Russians generally view marijuana?

6. 7/7/22, 11:35 AM American Teacher in Russia Gets 14-Year Weed Sentence after Diplomatic Immunity Ran Out
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The Russians' perspectives of cannabis are quite conservative similar to their government. In a survey conducted in
2018, it was discovered that the majority of Russians are opposed to cannabis legalization.
The 2018 survey which features 1,600 respondents discovered that 89% of Russia does not support the legalization of
soft narcotics like cannabis. Just 8% were of contrary opinion. The survey also discovered that only 13% of 25-34-year-
olds and 17% of 18-24-year-olds supported legalization.
Conclusion
While all actions are being taken to ensure the safe release of Brittney Griner, this should serve as a cautionary tale to
every cannabis user both recreationally and medically. The laws governing cannabis legalization in your state or country
mustn't apply everywhere else. Therefore, it's important one do due diligence about the laws that apply in a country you
want to go on vacation or a business trip.
THE RUSSIAN WEED CONNECTION, READ MORE...
(https://cannabis.net/blog/news/the-russian-weed-connection-russian-
oligarch-andrey-muraviev-invested-in-cannabis-and-us-politi.764923)

7. 7/7/22, 11:35 AM American Teacher in Russia Gets 14-Year Weed Sentence after Diplomatic Immunity Ran Out
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connection-russian-oligarch-andrey-muraviev-invested-in-cannabis-and-us-politi.764923)
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10. 7/7/22, 11:35 AM American Teacher in Russia Gets 14-Year Weed Sentence after Diplomatic Immunity Ran Out
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OPINION
Want a Higher Quality of Life? Use Cannabis Daily Says a New Brazilian Mental Health Survey

11. 7/7/22, 11:35 AM American Teacher in Russia Gets 14-Year Weed Sentence after Diplomatic Immunity Ran Out
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(https://cannabis.net/blog/opinion/want-a-higher-quality-of-life-use-cannabis-daily-says-a-new-brazilian-mental-health-survey)
In other words, the study concluded that people who smoked weed regularly had higher quality of life scores than those who weren’t smoking. This is an
interesting find especially since cannabis use is typically said to decrease quality of life – or at least this was the basis for sustaining prohibition for so long.
However, what this study points out that the habitual – non-problematic user views life in a more favorable light than the non-smoker.

12. 7/7/22, 11:35 AM American Teacher in Russia Gets 14-Year Weed Sentence after Diplomatic Immunity Ran Out
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(https://cannabis.net/blog/medical/do-terpenes-have-anticancer-properties)
MEDICAL
Do Terpenes Have Anticancer Properties?
The therapeutic benefits of terpenes are numerous, however, its major medicinal property is that it is capable of killing tumors and other cancer cells. This
discovery of its anticancer properties has shone more light on terpene research. Scientists are carrying out research to try and understand how these compounds
fight off cancer cells.