WNBA star Brittney Griner’s appeal of drug conviction denied in Russia

An appeal by WNBA star Brittney Griner was denied Tuesday in Russia, where the athlete is incarcerated on a drug conviction.

The decision at the Moscow Regional Court maintains the nine-year prison sentence that was handed down to Griner in August, according to NBC News.

Russian officials said in February that they found vape canisters with cannabis oil in Griner’s luggage at a Moscow airport, leading to her arrest.

She pleaded guilty in July to possessing the substance, saying she packed the canisters by accident, with her legal team arguing she was prescribed cannabis as a form of pain treatment.