I have very little sympathy for the U. S. citizen who travels to another country, intentionally violates their law, and is arrested, convicted and punished.
Some nations have very severe laws against illegal drugs. In the past, American hippies used to travel to such nations and use and sell illegal drugs. I was unable to sympathize with their incarceration.
Relative to illegality, why is religion privileged over drugs? I don't ever recall any media efforts at getting an American drug violator out of prison, efforts such as those done on behalf of Pastor Abedini.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saeed_Abedini