While Hadid was arrested for the incident, her representative told E! News that the cannabis was procured legally with a medical license in New York, where Hadid resides.
He further noted that medical cannabis is also legal in the Cayman Islands.
Global Variances in Cannabis Policies
The arrest of Gigi Hadid underscores the broad spectrum of international cannabis regulations and penalties celebrities face when traveling with the substance.
A poignant case in point is WNBA player Brittney Griner, who was arrested in Russia last year for possessing vape cartridges filled with cannabis oil.
Unlike Hadid’s case, Griner’s ordeal was marked by geopolitical tensions between Russia and the US over Ukraine, leading to her being detained from February to December 2022, which culminated in a prisoner exchange.
A Perspective on Penalties
While the political intricacies between Russia and the Cayman Islands are vast and beyond the scope of this news piece, it is critical to highlight the disparity in penalties.
