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As the American basketball player, an American basketball player in Indonesia, went down to his apartment lobby in recent months to collect a package containing smuggled cannabis gummies, he thought the medicine for relieving his Crohn’s disease had arrived.

It had – but so too had 10 undercover police officers. Footage circulating online shows Shaw, dressed in a dark top and shorts, shouting for help as multiple law enforcement agents move to apprehend him.

Confronting Severe Consequences

The Texan native, aged 35, is confronting potential execution or a long spell behind bars. He was an integral player of his Indonesian team, which clinched the national basketball league in 2023, and he scored more than 1,000 points over three seasons in the nation. But now he remains in pre-trial detention and faces a lifetime ban from the IBL.

“I use cannabis as a medicine,” he explained during a call from a prison near Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta. “I suffer from a chronic inflammation called Crohn’s that’s incurable. No other medication apart from cannabis that stops my stomach from aching.”

When not playing, the athlete lives in a neighboring country, where cannabis is subject to more liberal laws. He mentions he previously suffered the pain of abstaining from cannabis in earlier seasons in Indonesia but says that medical needs led him to bring in the intercepted supply of over a hundred edibles recently. “I made a stupid mistake,” he admits.

Challenges in Law and Life

But that mistake should not warrant execution or a long spell in prison, he argues. “There’s people telling me I could end up spending the rest of my life in prison over some edibles,” he says. “I’ve never been through any previous experience.” In the first two months after his arrest, he reached “my most difficult period” and in a “really dark mental place.”

“I felt helpless and alone,” he recalls. “Waking up felt unbearable.” But through prayer and his faith, along with time in a detention center gym, he is gradually recovering despite the tall sportsman occupies a small cell with a dozen men. “I just turned 35 but I still feel young,” says the former Utah State basketballer, with experience in multiple countries. “I hope to resume playing professionally.”

Treatment Needs Versus Drug Laws

The player, who plays as a center or power forward, explains cannabis alleviates his mental health struggles, in addition to sleeplessness and the pain from Crohn’s. “I don’t use it to have fun or social events,” he clarifies. “With my stomach condition, sometimes it’s hard for me to keep food down or use the restroom. It just soothes some of the symptoms.”

Indonesia takes a hard line on drugs and carried out executions in 2016, via shooting, of an Indonesian and three foreigners found guilty of drug offenses. More than 500 people – with nearly a hundred foreigners – face execution in the country, mostly for drug-related crimes.

Indonesian police have said that the athlete messaged his fellow players indicating he planned to distribute some of the cannabis candies among them. “Their definition of narcotics, I view as treatment,” he remarks. “It’s just different cultures.”

Seeking Support and Resolution

After Shaw’s arrest, authorities informed the media that Shaw might receive life in prison or possibly execution upon conviction. “Our ongoing investigation aims to uncover and halt global drug networks behind this case preventing further spread,” an official said.

Shaw was swiftly paraded at a press conference, appearing with his hands cuffed wearing an orange prison-issue T-shirt and face covering. He stood with his back to the audience as officials displayed the seized candies, totaling 869 grams and are worth $400.

He said that to charge him with holding nearly a kilogram of cannabis is unjust and “sick,” since the bulk is made up by the gummies themselves rather than the cannabis content. “I’m accused of a large quantity,” he notes. “My actual possession was far less.”

The player is seeking donations to cover his rising legal fees. He has not yet appeared in court although detained months prior, and he is still waiting 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 the candy here for sale? They were for my own needs.”

Wider Implications and Advocacy

An advocacy director from an organization campaigning for individuals jailed over cannabis commented: “Jarred’s case is not an isolated incident. Globally, people are serving extreme sentences for non-violent cannabis offenses that pose no threat to society.” In the United States as well, she noted, tens of thousands are still imprisoned for cannabis offences even with legalization in almost half of states and medical approval in all but two. “These punishments run counter to international human rights standards,” she stated.

The potential efficacy of cannabis on Crohn’s disease lacks extensive research but recent studies have indicated that cannabis can ease chronic lower back pain without serious side effects. Amid this, leaders have discussed potential advantages of cannabis-based medicines.

There are parallels with this case and that of Brittney Griner, the acclaimed player detained in another country for nearly a year in 2022 when officials discovered cannabis products in her bags. She was later freed as part of a prisoner swap involving a Russian weapons trafficker.

“Jarred has always been one of the most generous and selfless people you could meet,” his friend remarked on Shaw’s fundraising page. “Jarred made a mistake. However, it’s unjust that this should ruin his life prospects.”

The US embassy in Jakarta stated it is aware of Shaw’s case but declined additional details.

An advocacy assistant handling Shaw’s case said: “Cannabis itself is not lethal, but possessing it can. We must get significant focus to this situation so that a favorable outcome can influence future cases. I’m dedicated to making sure Jarred gets home to his family.”

• The Indonesian National Police did not respond regarding inquiries for this story.