Brittney Griner: Patron Saint of the Blameless and Irresponsible

---

Women Grow’s decision to make Brittney Griner their keynote speaker for the 2025 Leadership Summit is like the American Heart Association naming Ronald McDonald their poster boy for healthy eating. Sure, it grabs attention—but for all the wrong reasons. Griner isn’t a symbol of resilience or leadership; she’s a cautionary tale wrapped in a marketing pitch.

---

Let’s not forget the facts: Griner’s infamous arrest in Russia wasn’t the result of advocacy or activism. It was the consequence of reckless behavior—smuggling cannabis oil into a country with notoriously strict drug laws. Her subsequent memoir spun the ordeal into a tale of victimhood and political persecution, conveniently sidestepping the glaring issue of personal accountability. Now, Women Grow has elevated her as a face of leadership in cannabis. If this is leadership, we’re all in trouble.

The cannabis community is fighting tooth and nail for legitimacy and acceptance, and this move is a slap in the face to everyone doing the hard work. What about people like Mary Pryor, co-founder of Cannaclusive, who tirelessly advocates for inclusivity and representation in the cannabis industry? These individuals have made real contributions—without handing prohibitionists the perfect soundbites to derail the movement.

And yet, here we are, watching Women Grow fumble the ball. Their choice sends a clear message: controversy outweighs credibility. It’s as if they were brainstorming keynote speakers and someone said, “What if we got someone who symbolizes everything cannabis opponents criticize?” Mission accomplished.

Let’s be clear: Griner’s story is not one of advocacy or progress. It’s a tale of poor judgment, spun into a public relations tour. If Women Grow truly cared about advancing the movement, they’d focus on amplifying voices that push the conversation forward—not ones that remind us how easily the fight for cannabis reform can be undermined.

One can only wonder if her speech will include lessons on personal accountability—or conveniently skip over the critical missteps that led to her arrest.

Women Grow needs to do better—much better. The cannabis community is filled with pioneers, advocates, and leaders who’ve devoted their lives to education, reform, and equity. They’re out there every day dismantling stigma and building bridges, not booking flights to countries with draconian drug laws. Choosing Griner over them isn’t just a mistake; it’s a disservice to the movement itself.

Cannabis advocacy is a serious business. It’s not about selling memoirs or milking controversy—it’s about pushing for real change with integrity and accountability. Women Grow, it’s time to reflect on what leadership truly means. The stakes are too high to waste time on distractions.

---

_{^{© 2024 Pot Culture Magazine. All rights reserved. This content is the exclusive property of Pot Culture Magazine and may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations in critical reviews.}}