Brittney Griner cancels speech at cannabis leadership event over message found.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — WNBA star Brittney Griner canceled her appearance at a cannabis leadership convention in Maryland over security concerns, according to the event’s organizers.

Griner was scheduled to speak at the Women Grow Leadership Summit at Gaylord National on Monday, but the organization announced to attendees that she backed out after she spotted “threatening objects and words” left in her hotel room.

WUSA9 learned that there was a piece of duct tape in her room that read “Gay Baby Jail.”

Griner is an openly gay athlete who was catapulted into the international spotlight for spending roughly 10 months in a Russian prison over marijuana possession.

Women Grow promotes leadership in the cannabis industry and helps bring women together to organize and legalize cannabis.

“We were really excited because she brings a beacon of hope to our industry, but we know security is a major importance,” Women Grow CEO Dr. Chanda Macias told WUSA9. “If there was a woman that feels threatened at any reason whatsoever, they should do what they feel is best for them.”

According to the organization, the hotel staff claimed it was a mean joke left by a previous guest, and the cleaning staff missed it.

“I don’t know what their protocols are, but I don’t know why rooms wouldn’t be cleaned,” Macias said.

Prince George’s County Police said it appears Griner was not targeted rather involved in an unfortunate coincidence.

“Detectives have learned the phrase ‘gay baby jail’ is commonly used as a video game reference,” police said in a statement. “At the time the tape was located, a large convention was taking place at the Gaylord which attracts thousands of people, many with an interest in anime as well as video game enthusiasts.”

Detectives are still working to determine who placed the piece of tape, when it was done and the intention behind it.

For Macias, this comes at a time when she and her team are trying to make women feel more empowered and heard, not silenced.

“We want you [Griner] to be safe, thrive, share your voice and narrative, and don’t let anything intimidate you,” Macias added.

Gaylord National and the parent company Marriott haven’t responded to WUSA9’s request for comment.

WUSA9 also reached out to Griner’s team but haven’t heard back.