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When Jarred Shaw, a US athlete playing in Indonesia, went down to his apartment lobby earlier this year to collect a package containing illegally imported cannabis gummies, he thought his medication for easing his chronic inflammatory condition had arrived.

It had – however, so did a team of ten plainclothes officers. Footage circulating online depicts Shaw, wearing a black T-shirt and shorts, shouting for help as multiple law enforcement agents attempt to detain him.

Facing Harsh Penalties

The Texan native, aged 35, is confronting the possibility of the death penalty or extended imprisonment. He was a key member of his Indonesian team, which clinched the national basketball league in 2023, and he accumulated more than 1,000 points over three seasons in the nation. However, currently he remains in pre-trial detention and faces a lifetime ban from the IBL.

“I use cannabis as a medicine,” he stated during a call from his cell near Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta. “I have an inflammatory condition called Crohn’s disease that’s untreatable. No other medication besides cannabis that stops my abdominal pain.”

When not playing, the athlete lives in a neighboring country, where the laws on cannabis are more liberal laws. He says he previously suffered discomfort of abstaining from cannabis in previous campaigns in Indonesia but explains how health reasons spurred him to import the seized batch of over a hundred edibles recently. “I made a stupid mistake,” he says.

Challenges in Law and Life

However, this error does not justify execution or lengthy incarceration, he argues. “There’s people telling me I could end up spending the rest of my life in prison for cannabis candies,” he states. “This is unlike anything like this.” In the first two months after his arrest, he reached “my most difficult period” and in a “deeply troubled state of mind.”

“I experienced isolation and despair,” he shares. “I didn’t want to wake up again.” But through prayer and his faith, along with time in a detention center gym, he is starting to feel himself again even while the tall sportsman occupies a small cell with a dozen men. “I recently celebrated my 35th birthday but I still feel young,” notes the former Utah State basketballer, who has played in Argentina, Japan, Turkey, Thailand and Tunisia. “I hope to resume playing professionally.”

Treatment Needs Versus Drug Laws

Shaw, a center or power forward, explains cannabis alleviates his anxiety and depression, as well as sleeplessness and the discomfort of his condition. “It’s not for recreation and go party,” he emphasizes. “Due to my digestive issues, sometimes it’s hard for me to keep food down or go to the toilet. It merely eases the pain a little bit.”

Indonesia takes a hard line regarding narcotics and conducted executions in 2016, by firing squad, of an Indonesian and three foreigners convicted of drug-related crimes. Over five hundred individuals – including almost 100 foreigners – face execution in the nation, primarily due to narcotics violations.

Law enforcement stated that Shaw sent text messages to his teammates saying that he would share portions of the edibles with them. “Their definition of narcotics, I view as treatment,” says Shaw. “It’s just different cultures.”

Seeking Support and Resolution

Following his detention, police officials informed the media that Shaw could face life in prison or even the death penalty upon conviction. “Our ongoing investigation aims to uncover and halt global drug networks involved preventing further spread,” a representative said.

The athlete was presented at a press conference, shown in handcuffs wearing an orange prison-issue T-shirt and a black face mask. He stood with his back to the audience as officials exhibited the seized candies, totaling 869 grams and are worth $400.

He argued that to charge him with possession of almost a kilo of cannabis is unfair and “sick,” since most of the weight is made up by the candy material rather than the cannabis content. “I’m accused of almost a kilo,” he notes. “My actual possession was far less.”

The player is seeking donations to cover mounting court costs. He has not yet appeared in court although detained months prior, and he awaits for a first appearance date. “It’s being portrayed like I’m this big drug dealer,” he asserts. “What reason would I have to import these items to sell? It was for personal use.”

Wider Implications and Advocacy

An advocacy director from a group campaigning for individuals jailed over cannabis said: “This situation is not unique. Globally, individuals face harsh penalties for non-violent cannabis offenses that pose no threat to public safety.” Even in the US, she noted, many people remain incarcerated for similar offenses even with legalization in almost half of states and medical approval in most regions. “These punishments run counter to global human rights norms,” she emphasized.

Possible benefits of cannabis on Crohn’s disease lacks extensive research but recent studies suggest that cannabis can ease chronic lower back pain with minimal risks. Amid this, public figures have highlighted potential advantages of cannabis-based medicines.

There are parallels with this case and that of another American athlete, the decorated American basketball player who was imprisoned in Russia for nearly a year in 2022 when officials discovered cannabis products in her luggage. Griner was eventually released through an exchange involving a Russian weapons trafficker.

“Jarred has always been an exceptionally kind and selfless people one might encounter,” a close associate said on Shaw’s fundraising page. “Jarred made a mistake. However, it’s unjust that this should ruin his entire future.”

American officials in the capital stated it is aware of Shaw’s case but would not comment further.

An advocacy assistant involved in the case said: “Cannabis itself is not lethal, but ownership might be. We must get as much attention to this situation in the hope that a positive resolution will set a powerful precedent. I’m dedicated to making sure Jarred gets home to his mother.”

• Local authorities did not respond to a request for comment for this story.