Brittney Griner Cancels Cannabis Keynote After Finding Disturbing Hotel Room Message

WNBA star Brittney Griner canceled her scheduled keynote appearance at the Women Grow Leadership Summit in Maryland on Monday after finding what she perceived as a threatening message in her hotel room.

The incident, which Women Grow leadership called an “attack” on its community, has reignited discussions about safety concerns for high-profile figures in the cannabis industry.

The Incident At The Gaylord Hotel

Griner, who was slated to speak at the Women Grow event on Feb. 17, left after discovering a note taped inside her hotel room that read “Gay Baby Jail.” Given her history—being detained in Russia over cannabis possession and her open identity as a gay woman—the message raised alarms about targeted intimidation.

According to Women Grow CEO Chanda Macias, “Brittney Griner arrived to be with us but felt unsafe because of threatening objects and words left inside her hotel room. For her safety, she chose to return home.”

Image courtesy of Women Grow

The Women Grow organization, which focuses on empowering women in the cannabis space, stated that the note was either an intentional attack or a deeply unfortunate coincidence. “The Gaylord has assured us that the conference and its guests are safe; they have represented that the threat at issue was a meme joke left by a prior guest and unfortunately missed by cleaning staff,” Macias said. Despite this explanation, the message was unsettling enough for Griner to withdraw from the event.

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Women Grow Responds: ‘We Will Not Be Silenced’

The conference proceeded with an altered schedule, but the incident became a focal point of discussion. “Women Grow and our community are under attack in an effort to disrupt, intimidate and silence us,” Macias asserted. “This is not just a threat against one person—it is a threat against all of us. This is unacceptable.”

Women Grow leadership emphasized its commitment to continuing their advocacy despite the incident. “Attacking women for coming together to lead and create change will not stop us,” Macias continued. “We are actively working with the venue and authorities to investigate how this happened and hold those responsible accountable. The safety of every woman at this conference remains our top priority.”

Political And Industry Context

Griner's withdrawal comes at a time when cannabis-related arrests remain a contentious issue internationally. As Marijuana Moment reported, Russian authorities recently freed another American citizen facing charges over alleged cannabis possession—the same charge that led to Griner's imprisonment in 2022. The timing of this incident has fueled further conversations about the intersection of cannabis reform, international relations, and personal security for advocates in the space.

Meanwhile, Maryland Governor Wes Moore addressed the Women Grow event, reinforcing the state's commitment to equity in the cannabis industry. “Creating equitable opportunities in the cannabis industry isn't just about business—it's about justice,” he said in a video message.

The Broader Impact

Women Grow organizers underscored the need for collective action in response to the incident. “Women Grow was founded on the belief that women should be able to lead without fear or intimidation. Our commitment to empowering women in cannabis is stronger than ever. We will not be silenced. We will continue on,” Macias affirmed.

This event has sparked industry-wide discussions about security at cannabis conferences and the challenges faced by prominent figures advocating for legalization and equity. Women Grow has vowed to continue working with law enforcement and the venue to determine whether this was a targeted act or an unfortunate oversight. Either way, the cannabis community remains on high alert as it navigates the evolving political and social landscape.

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Lead image via Shutterstock