Marco Rubio, Secretary of State:
Promises made, promises kept. President Trump promised the Fogel family he would bring Marc home, and today, Marc is on his way. After three and a half years of detention in Russia, Marc is finally free. Marc’s release is also a reminder that other American citizens are still detained in Russia. President Trump is committed to bringing all of them home.
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Editor's Note:
Russia has strict anti-drug laws and does not recognize medical cannabis as a valid treatment. Possession, use, and trafficking of marijuana—regardless of its purpose—are illegal under Russian law. Even small amounts can result in severe legal consequences, including lengthy prison sentences. Marc Fogel’s case highlights the disparity between American and Russian drug laws. While he had a U.S. prescription for medical marijuana, it carried no legal weight in Russia. That said, the U.S. has some of the strictest sentencing guidelines, particularly for drug offenses, violent crimes, and financial crimes. The U.S. justice system has mandatory minimum sentences, three-strikes laws, and harsh penalties for certain drug-related offenses, even at the federal level.
For example:
• Drug Offenses: Federal mandatory minimums for drug trafficking can lead to decades in prison, even for non-violent offenders.
• White-Collar Crimes: Sentences for financial crimes, like fraud, can be severe—Bernie Madoff received 150 years for his Ponzi scheme.
• Repeat Offender Laws: Some states have “three-strikes” laws that result in life sentences after a third felony, even for non-violent crimes.
• Life Without Parole: The U.S. is one of the few Western nations that frequently sentences individuals to life without parole, including juveniles in some cases.