Brittney Grinerappeared in court Tuesday as her legal team shared supporting evidence about the medicinal use of cannabis.

In a hearing that lasted about 40 minutes,Good Morning Americareported, the detained WNBA star, 34, appeared behind a steel cage in the courtroom.

The court heard from a narcology expert,The New York Timesreported, per Griner’s lawyers, in an effort to explain that medical cannabis “is a popular treatment, specifically among athletes.”

“With the prescription in place, Brittney may have used it for medical, but not for recreational purposes,” said Maria Blagovolina, one of the attorneys.

Earlier this month, Griner’s lawyers told the court that the Phoenix Mercury centerhas a doctor’s noteapproving cannabis for pain treatment.

Brittney Griner holds up photos from inside a cage in the courtroom.Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP/Shutterstock

Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner holds images standing in a cage at a court room prior to a hearing, in Khimki just outside Moscow, Russia, . American basketball star Brittney Griner has returned to a Russian courtroom for her drawn-out trial on drug charges that could bring her 10 years in prison if convicted Russia Griner, Moscow, Russian Federation - 26 Jul 2022

“The attending physician gave Brittney recommendations for the use of medical cannabis. The permission was issued on behalf of the Arizona Department of Health,” Blagovolina during Griner’s fourth hearing since her arrest,The Associated Pressreported.

Brittney Griner appears in court Tuesday.Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP/Shutterstock

Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner speaks to her lawyers standing in a cage at a court room prior to a hearing, in Khimki just outside Moscow, Russia, . American basketball star Brittney Griner returns Tuesday to a Russian courtroom for her drawn-out trial on drug charges that could bring her 10 years in prison of convicted Russia Griner, Moscow, Russian Federation - 26 Jul 2022

“We are not arguing that Brittney took it here as a medicine. We are still saying that she involuntarily brought it here because she was in a rush,” he said, according to theAP.

Brittney Griner is escorted into the courtroom Tuesday.Evgenia Novozhenina/AP/Shutterstock

Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is escorted to a courtroom for a hearing, in Khimki just outside Moscow, Russia, . American basketball star Brittney Griner returns Tuesday to a Russian courtroom for her drawn-out trial on drug charges that could bring her 10 years in prison if convicted Russia Griner, Moscow, Russian Federation - 25 Jul 2022

In addition to Tuesday’s legal arguments, Griner was able to share a message for her wife, Cherelle, from the courtroom while speaking with a producer from ABC,GMAreported.

From behind the bars in the courtroom, at one point, Griner is seen holding up a clear plastic folder that shows two photos, including one of her wife Cherelle,GMAsaid.

“Good luck on the bar exam,” Griner told her wife.

“How do you feel? Do you have any complaints,” the producer asked.

“No, no complaints. Just waiting patiently,” she replied. Griner is expected to testify tomorrow.

On July 7, the two-time Olympic gold medalistpleaded guiltyto possessing vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport in February.

According toGMA,about 99% of those arrested on drug charges in Russia serve the maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

source: people.com