According to authorities, Eliza Lorber, a college student from New York City, was arrested and is being held in Russia for carrying a small amount of medical marijuana.
According to the St. Petersburg court system, Lorber, who is a student at Pace University, was arrested for having 19.05 grams of marijuana in her belongings when she was searched at Russia’s Pulkovo Airport.
According to authorities, Lorber’s contraband was for medicinal purposes but the “patent for marijuana use in a medical program issued in the United States that the accused carried with her does not apply to the territory of the Russian Federation.”
That statement was issued on Sept. 2nd but there is no date for when the alleged offense had happened
“We are aware of the reports of a U.S. citizen was arrested in St. Petersburg, Russia,” the U.S. State Department said on Monday. “We take seriously our responsibility to assist U.S. citizens abroad. Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment.”
“I’m working to help get Audrey home as soon as possible because no American citizen should be held in jail for a medical condition,” Rep. Max Rose, D-N.Y., stated this past weekend.