WRONGFUL, INDEED
US government classifies Brittney Griner as ‘wrongfully detained’
The American government’s approach to aiding WNBA star Brittney Griner, who is detained in Russia, will likely change now that it has reclassified her as “wrongfully detained,” per ESPN.
Griner, who plays for Phoenix Mercury, was returning to the US from Russia in mid-February when officials say they found cannabis vape cartridges on her going through security at an airport near Moscow. Although she was arrested and charged with drug offenses, the classification means the government will likely not wait for Russia’s court processes and will instead try to negotiate her freedom.
“We feel really good about it,” an unnamed source who is close to Griner told ESPN. Teammates and other supporters have been asked to keep a low profile, per New York Times. “But we also know it can drag out, so we don’t want to get our hopes too high.”
Enjoy Cannabis Daily each morning at 7 a.m.
ENOUGH
FDA calls out five companies selling Delta-8 products
The US Food and Drug Administration has issued warning letters to five companies they say make products that may have caused adverse reactions among medical cannabis consumers, per a press release.
The companies are:
“[Delta-8] products often include claims that they treat or alleviate the side effects related to a wide variety of diseases or medical disorders, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, nausea and anxiety,” said the FDA’s principal deputy commissioner Janet Woodcock, MD, in a statement
“It is extremely troubling that some of the food products are packaged and labeled in ways that may appeal to children. We will continue to safeguard Americans’ health and safety by monitoring the marketplace and taking action when companies illegally sell products that pose a risk to public health.”
A VERY KIND REALITY
Why cannabis companies are turning to reality TV stars for marketing help
From Survivor season 3 winner Ethan Zohn to RuPaul’s Drag Race star Jay Jackson (aka Laganja Estranja), reality stars are making lucrative deals with cannabis companies after showing their authentic love of the plant on television, per Green Market Report.
In Laganja Estranja’s case, she said her entire income came from social media marketing deals through the pandemic. Now that she’s performing again, influencer marketing makes up about 20% of her income.
“I sometimes feel like I’m an infomercial,” she said.
Ethan Zohn joined BofC Live last month, watch here, in case you missed it.
