By Elizabeth Wolfe and Anna Chernova, CNN
Updated 7:08 PM ET, Fri July 15, 2022
(CNN) Lawyers for WNBA star Brittney Griner told Russian judges Friday that she was prescribed medical cannabis for "severe chronic pain."
Griner's defense team submitted to the Russian court a letter from a US medical center issuing a permit in Arizona in 2020 for the use of medical cannabis for Griner to treat her chronic pain caused by sports injuries.
Also Friday, Griner's trial was postponed until July 26 after her lawyers said they needed more time to prepare for next steps. Griner, 31, has pleaded guilty to drug charges, which carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. The defense hopes the plea will be considered by the court as a mitigating factor and the sentence won't be severe.
US officials classify her arrest as a wrongful detention and have said they are "actively engaged" in resolving the issue.