Didn't know until today that Brittney Griner got 9 years in a Russian prison because they found less than a gram of cannabis in her luggage along with a prescription for it from her doctor. In about 25% of states, she could be charged with a misdemeanor and get up to 15 days in jail and/or fined for the same thing. Though some of those states allow less than an gram with medical prescription and no charges.

Russia would only swap Griner for the merchant of death making it difficult to say what they are asking for Whelan. Government secrets can be taken off the bargaining table because the Russians already got those from Mar-A-Lago.