The 31-year-old's defence team provided documentation showing that she had medical cannabis prescribed for her chronic pains in a courtroom located outside of Moscow.

Cannabis is strictly illegal in Russia. It is reported that Russia has the highest number of people arrested for drug offences, most are cannabis-related.

“I was in a rush packing and the cartridges ended up in my bag,” She told the court.

Griner, who the US classifies as wrongfully detained, was held back at an airport near the capital back in February. Russian authorities accused the Phoenix Mercury player of possessing 2 vape cartridges with hashish oil - a cannabis concentrate - in her luggage. She had planned to play with a Russian basketball team during the WNBA off-season.

Griner is handcuffed as she was lead into a courtroom outside of Moscow

The two-time Olympic gold medalist had recently pleaded guilty to drug smuggling charges near the end of last week, saying she had no intention of breaking the law. It is reported that she could face up to 10 years in a Russian prison. She has already written a letter to US president Joe Biden, famously expressing that she was “terrified [she] might be here forever”.

Her lawyers say her trial is expected to finish before the beginning of August.