The case of Brittney Griner seems more complicated than your typical case of cannabis possession overseas. Even after pleading guilty (which is said to elicit a lenient judgment in Russian courts naturally) and declaring her lack of intent to break the law, there is a belief that the arrest and case are more political than normal and could be used for negotiation purposes. That is due to the tension between Russia and America, which is fueled by the war on Ukraine by Russia.