The US State Department has officially designated an American teacher, Marc Fogel, who is imprisoned in Russia for possessing medical marijuana, as “wrongfully detained.” Fogel, a registered medical cannabis patient in Pennsylvania, was convicted of “drug smuggling” and sentenced to 14 years in prison for possessing a half-ounce of cannabis. Advocates and lawmakers have long pushed for the administration to recognize Fogel’s detention as wrongful, citing that he obtained the marijuana lawfully and used it as an opioid alternative to treat his chronic pain.
The designation is expected to escalate diplomatic efforts to secure Fogel’s release, which has been a long-standing issue. In August, over a dozen members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, expressing their “gravest of concerns” about Fogel’s continued imprisonment and drawing parallels with the case of WNBA player Brittney Griner, who was released from a Russian prison earlier this year after being convicted of possessing cannabis oil.
The State Department uses 11 criteria to determine whether a person is wrongfully detained, including whether due process is being impaired, whether the person was arrested solely because they are a US national, and whether they are innocent of the stated charges. Fogel’s case meets several of these criteria, and his supporters are hopeful that the designation will lead to increased pressure on Russia to release him.
Fogel’s family and advocates have been working tirelessly to raise awareness about his case and secure his release. His sister, Anne Fogel, expressed gratitude for the support they have received and emphasized that the job is not yet done. The State Department’s designation is a significant step forward in the effort to secure Fogel’s release, and it is expected to be a major focus of diplomatic efforts in the coming months.
