WNBA star Brittney Griner, the dominant center currently playing for the Atlanta Dream, experienced a brief but tense moment at Miami International Airport on Wednesday morning when authorities briefly held her after suspecting she was carrying a “very small amount of marijuana.”
Griner, a multi-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion, has a well-documented history with medical marijuana. She holds a prescription in states where it is legal, using it to manage chronic pain from years of intense physical play. This echoes her 2022 detention in Russia, where she was arrested at a Moscow airport for vape cartridges containing cannabis oil—illegal in that country—leading to a nine-month imprisonment and eventual release in a high-profile prisoner exchange.
In the U.S., federal law still classifies marijuana as a controlled substance, though enforcement varies, especially in airports under TSA and customs oversight. Florida, where Miami is located, has medical marijuana programs but strict rules on possession and transport. Recreational use remains illegal in the state.
The Atlanta Dream star was in Miami possibly for personal travel or team-related matters amid the WNBA offseason. Griner’s representatives have not issued a detailed statement yet, but insiders indicate the matter was resolved amicably and quickly, with no impact on her travel plans or professional commitments.
This episode highlights ongoing challenges athletes face when navigating varying state and federal cannabis laws while traveling. Griner has been vocal about her experiences post-Russia, including in recent interviews and projects, emphasizing personal growth and advocacy.
Fans and supporters rallied online, expressing relief that the incident passed without escalation. Griner, who joined the Atlanta Dream after her Phoenix Mercury tenure, continues to focus on her career and family life following her return to the league.
