A policeman removes the handcuffs from WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner in a courtroom prior to a hearing in the Khimki district court, just outside Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 15, 2022. 

KHIMKI, Russia (AP) — A lawyer for WNBA star Brittney Griner at her drug possession trial in Russia on Friday gave the court a U.S. doctor's letter recommending she use medical cannabis to treat pain.

Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and standout for the Phoenix Mercury, was arrested at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport in February after customs officials said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of transporting drugs.

In court last week, Griner pleaded guilty and acknowledged possessing the canisters but said she had no criminal intent and said they were in her luggage because she packed hastily in her return to Russia to play for the UMMC Ekaterinburg basketball team during the WNBA's offseason.

WNBA star Brittney Griner appeared in a court room just outside Moscow, Russia Thursday. It was her third hearing since being detained in Russia on drug charges back in February.Members of Griner's Russian basketball club came to her defense, testifying in support of the high-profile American athlete.Griners Russian colleagues praised her character and leadership skills just one week after the 31-year-old pleaded guilty to drug charges for allegedly possessing and smuggling vape cartridges containing hash oil into the foreign country.This, as U.S. officials face mounting pressure to make a deal to free Griner. Her attorneys may be advising a fine, lighter prison sentence, but Griners best bet at quick freedom might be a prisoner exchange, though Russian officials stand firm that negotiations will not happen until the proceedings are over. Despite this, some politicians, celebrities and other high-profile athletes continue to speak out against the U.S.' handling of Griners case.Los Angeles Lakers star Lebron James made a public critique in the trailer for an upcoming episode of his show The Shop: Uninterrupted." After facing backlash himself, the NBA star clarified his comments, tweeting he wasnt knocking our beautiful country. He said, "I was simply saying how shes probably feeling emotionally, along with so many other emotions and thoughts being inside the cage for over 100 days.WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert reiterated during all-star weekend in Chicago that Griner remains top of mind for the league."She remains a huge priority for us, continues to have our full support, fully focused on getting her home safely and as soon as possible," Engelbert said.Many of Griners teammates, fellow WNBA players and Rev. Al Sharpton spoke about the urgency to get her home. Brittneys wife, Cherelle, said she knows U.S. officials are up against a challenging situation but says she has faith in President Bidens efforts.Secretary of State Antony Blinken has vowed the U.S. government will not back down until wrongfully detained Americans, like Griner, are brought home.Griner's hearing continues Friday. She is expected to make statement and answer the judges questions.

In Russia's judicial system, admitting guilt doesn't automatically end a trial. Since that plea, her court sessions have focused on in-person and written testimony to her good character and athletic prowess.

"The attending physician gave Brittney recommendations for the use of medical cannabis," said her lawyer, Maria Blagovolina. "The permission was issued on behalf of the Arizona Department of Health."

The defense on Friday also submitted tests she underwent as part of an anti-doping check, which didn't detect any prohibited substances in her system.

The next hearing of Griner's case was scheduled for July 26.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have said they are doing all they could to win her release, as well as that of other Americans the U.S. considers "wrongly detained" by Russia, including former Marine Paul Whelan who is serving 16 years on an espionage conviction.

Washington may have little leverage with Moscow, though, because of strong animosity over its military operation in Ukraine.

"In the hearings yesterday and today what became very clear is the tremendous amount of respect and admiration both in the United States and here in Russia where Miss Griner has been playing basketball for seven years, not only for her professional achievements but for her character and integrity," U.S. Embassy charge d'affaires Elizabeth Rood said outside the courthouse in the Moscow suburb of Khimki, where the airport is located.

WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner speaks with her lawyers Alexander Boykov, right, and Maria Blagovolina at a court room prior to a hearing in the Khimki district court, just outside Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 15, 2022. 

The director and team captain of UMMC Ektaerinburg testified on her behalf on Thursday.

Russian media have speculated that Griner could be swapped for Russian arms trader Viktor Bout, nicknamed "the Merchant of Death," who is serving a 25-year sentence in the U.S. after being convicted of conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens and providing aid to a terrorist organization.

Russia has agitated for Bout's release for years. But the wide discrepancy in the seriousness of their cases could make such a trade unpalatable to Washington. Others have suggested that Griner could be traded along with Whelan, who is serving 16 years in Russia on an espionage conviction that the U.S. has described as a setup.

The State Department's designation of Griner as wrongfully detained moves her case under the supervision of its special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, effectively the government's chief hostage negotiator. The classification has irritated Russia.

Asked about the possibility of Griner being swapped for a Russian jailed in the U.S., Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, the senior Russian diplomat, has noted that until her trial is over "there are no formal or procedural reasons to talk about any further steps."

Ryabkov warned that U.S. criticism, including the description of Griner as wrongfully detained and dismissive comments about the Russian judicial system, "makes it difficult to engage in detailed discussion of any possible exchanges."

Griner's detention has been authorized through Dec. 20, suggesting the trial could last months. Griner's lawyers, however, said they expect it to conclude around the beginning of August.

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