GUILTY Russia - Audrey Lorber, NYC college student, arrested for med marijuana, St. Petersburg, Sept 2019

[JerseyGirl]

A college student from New York City was arrested and is being held in Russia for allegedly possessing a few grams of medical marijuana. Audrey Eliza Lorber had 19.05 grams, about two-thirds of an ounce, of cannabis in her belongings when she was searched at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg.

Lorber is a student at Pace University in New York.

Lorber's contraband was for medicinal purposes but that the "patent for marijuana use in a medical program issued in the United States that the accused carried with her does not apply to the territory of the Russian Federation."

NYC college student being held in Russia after medical marijuana arrest

 

[LadyL]

I wonder why she was going to Russia?

here's her FB:

Audrey E Lorber

 

[FrostOwl]

Just because the use of medical cannabis is permitted in the state in the U.S. where AEL lives, that doesn't mean that she is allowed to bring it with her to countries where the drug is still considered as narcotics, she should have checked whether it was legal or not in Russia before taking it with her there. The use of medical cannabis is only accepted in about 30 countries in the world. Medical cannabis - Wikipedia

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

yep, not a lot of compassion for her, sorry. Must be a responsible user and follow the laws of the places one visits.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

I wonder what the penalty/sentence is.

 

[FrostOwl]

I wonder what the penalty/sentence is.

Possession of more than 6 grams of carries a sentence of up to three years in prison in Russia. New York college student arrested in Russia for medical marijuana

I have to say that the comments by Rep. Max Rose, who represents the district where AEL lives in, irritates me, it's not her medical condition that ended her in jail, it was trying to get illegal drugs into the country she was going to visit. I doubt he would be as forgiving if a visitor to the U.S. tried to take with them medicines that are forbidden there, regardless how important the medicines are for the patient. (But American citizens should never end up in jail for a medical condition, even when they commit a crime, according to Max Rose.)

 

[Meligator]

Any relation to Howard Lorber?

 

[JerseyGirl]

Other Americans Have Been Detained in Russia for Possession of Marijuana

Naama Issachar, a 25-year-old Israeli-American woman, has been jailed in Russia since April. After a backpacking trip in India, Issachar was stopped by police while boarding a connecting flight to Tel Aviv in Moscow.

Russian authorities said they found 9.2 grams of cannabis in Issachar’s checked baggage, but she denied knowing how the marijuana got there. While Issachar was initially only charged with possession, her charge was changed to smuggling narcotics a month later.

Family members have also expressed concern about being able to communicate with Issachar, and said Russian authorities have only allowed limited phone calls and visits. Issachar’s cousin [said] that her cousin is “being treated like one of the biggest criminals in Russia.”

Audrey Lorber: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com

 

[JerseyGirl]

Audrey Lorber was released from custody after the court found her guilty of "attempting to import marijuana purchased in the U.S. into Russia."

Lorber was required to remain in St. Petersburg for 10 days until the sentence technically comes into force. During that period either Lorber or the government have the right to appeal the ruling, but no appeals were immediately filed.

Once the 10 days pass, and assuming there are no appeals of her sentence from the prosecution service, Lorber will be allowed to travel back to the U.S.

Russian court releases American teen Audrey Lorber today after a month jailed for "attempting to import" marijuana - CBS News

 

[Rikissa]

Here's an article about the cases of Audrey Lobrer in 2019 and of Brittney Griner in 2022, for very similar crimes, and how different the sentences of the two women were, and perhaps why the difference.

Is the Meme About Brittney Griner and Audrey Lorber True?

According to the meme, a white American named Audrey Lorber received far less jail time in Russia than Griner did for a similar drug possession crime.

www.snopes.com