These days the world is a global village and there’s nothing uncommon with waking up on one continent and at dusk, you’re halfway around the globe.
If you’re a traveler, kudos, you’re probably a winner, and if you’re into CBD products, kudos again, for you know the secret to health and well-being.
However, we’d like to caution you against bringing CBD to your every destination; more specifically, to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Russia.
The thing is, these jurisdictions have adopted a decidedly hostile attitude against all cannabis products, including CBD, which isn’t psychoactive.
I mean, traveling is cool, but it’s not okay to lose your freedom, just because you had some CBD tincture or capsules or vape on you.
Seriously, don’t bring CBD to the United Arab Emirates or Russia.
Cases of People Losing Freedom in UAE & Russia
Dubai, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Moscow – all these UAE and Russian cities are cosmopolitan and modern. They attract the world.
But once the airport personnel stop you, search you, and discover the tiniest evidence of a CBD product, you’re done.
Let’s go over some of the cases where civilians have been arrested and jailed in these jurisdictions for being found with CBD products.
1. Brittney Yevette Griner
Brittney, a basketball player for the US women’s team, flew down to Moscow for a basketball tournament, and she lost her freedom.
Some vaping hardware that contained highly potent forms of CBD was found on her. In Russia, all cannabis derivatives are illegal.
Even disclosing to the court that she had a doctor’s letter that recommended cannabis for medication purposes didn’t help things.
The Russian judge threw the book at her, sentencing her to nine years behind bars, something that has caused an uproar the world over.
Many celebrities, including Lebron James, Lisa Rinna, and Amy Schumer, have called on the political leadership of the US to lobby for her release.
2. Billy Hood
The 25-year-old had been staying in Dubai as the coach for a local football club. One afternoon he was stopped by cops and some CBD oil was found.
He had a few bottles of vape juice and some vaping systems lying around in his car, and when presented to the court, he was sentenced to 25 years.
His sentencing drew criticism from the media and the public in the west, and the court reviewed the 25 years down to 10 years.
Still, the 10-year jail term was criticized as oppressive, considering that the United Arab Emirates had changed its laws around cannabis violations.
The UAE’s new laws would see that foreigners who would be found for the first time with cannabis or its derivatives or any intoxicating substance for personal use would be sent back to their countries instead of being jailed.
In February 2022, it emerged that Billy was assaulted by prison guards when he expressed his frustrations by punching a prison wall.
It also came to light that Dubai jails are in an appalling state. Inmates are usually isolated in cramped spaces that can only fit a mattress.
3. Naama Issachar
What makes Naama Issachar’s story sadder is the fact that she wasn’t technically traveling in Russia, but she still got apprehended and jailed.
Naama was traveling from India to Israel, and she had a three-hour layover in Moscow, but before she could connect to her destination, it happened.
Russian agents at the Sheremetyevo International Airport found some cannabis buds in her luggage and took her into custody.
She was presented to the court, and the judge gave her 7.5 years. She had done 10 months by the time Russian President Vladimir Putin pardoned her.
UAE & Russia: Not Friendly to CBD
And so, as you can see, the United Arab Emirates and Russia aren’t the best of places to visit if you like bringing your favorite CBD products.
But let’s be honest; it’s unfair treatment, especially when you consider all these intoxicating substances like alcohol and cigarettes are legal.
CBD provides a range of therapeutic benefits, and millions of people have incorporated CBD into their daily routines.
Even though Russia and UAE are horrible destinations for CBD lovers, there are many other countries where CBD is legal.
Countries where CBD is legal:
- Austria
- The United Kingdom (UK)
- Switzerland
- Spain
- Slovenia
- Romania
- Portugal
- Luxembourg
- Poland
- Latvia
- Netherlands
- Lithuania
- Japan
- Greece
- Italy
- Bulgaria
- France
- Canada
Currently, many governments the world over are pushing for the legalization of cannabis, including CBD, and you can rest assured that tomorrow holds our freedom. I mean, no reason why every country shouldn’t legalize it.
