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When Jarred Shaw, a US athlete playing in Indonesia, went down to his apartment lobby earlier this year to pick up a package containing smuggled cannabis gummies, he believed the medicine for easing his chronic inflammatory condition had arrived.

Indeed it did – but so too had a team of ten plainclothes officers. Footage circulating online depicts the athlete, dressed in a black T-shirt and shorts, crying out in distress as the swarm of officers attempt to detain him.

Facing Harsh Penalties

The 35-year-old from Dallas, Texas, could face potential the death penalty or a long spell behind bars. Previously, he served as a key member of his Indonesian team, who won the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) in 2023, and he scored more than 1,000 points across three years in the nation. But now he remains in detention before trial and is banned for life from the league.

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

During the off-season, Shaw resides in a neighboring country, where cannabis is subject to less restrictive. He mentions he previously suffered discomfort of going without cannabis in earlier seasons in Indonesia but explains how medical needs led him to import the intercepted supply of 132 gummies recently. “It was a foolish error,” he admits.

Legal and Personal Struggles

But that mistake should not warrant execution or a long spell in prison, he contends. “There’s people telling me I could end up spending the rest of my life behind bars over some edibles,” he says. “This is unlike anything like this.” Initially, for weeks following his detention, he was at “my most difficult period” and in a “deeply troubled state of mind.”

“I experienced isolation and despair,” he recalls. “Waking up felt unbearable.” But through spiritual practices, as well as access to a detention center gym, he is gradually recovering even while the tall sportsman occupies a small cell with multiple inmates. “I recently celebrated my 35th birthday but I still feel young,” says the ex-college player, with experience in Argentina, Japan, Turkey, Thailand and Tunisia. “I would love to continue playing professionally.”

Medical Use vs. Legal Perception

The player, a center or power forward, explains cannabis helps ease his mental health struggles, as well as sleeplessness and the pain from Crohn’s. “It’s not for recreation and go party,” he clarifies. “With my stomach condition, it can be challenging to retain meals or use the restroom. It just soothes the pain a little bit.”

The nation enforces strict policies regarding narcotics and carried out executions in 2016, via shooting, of several individuals found guilty of drug-related crimes. Over five hundred individuals – including almost 100 foreigners – face execution in the nation, mostly for drug-related crimes.

Law enforcement have said that Shaw sent text messages to his teammates saying that he would share some of the cannabis candies among them. “What they consider drugs, I consider medicine,” says Shaw. “It’s just different cultures.”

Seeking Support and Resolution

Following his detention, authorities told reporters that the American could face a life sentence or even the death penalty upon conviction. “Our ongoing investigation aims to uncover and halt global drug networks involved and to stop its distribution,” an official said.

The athlete was presented at a press conference, appearing with his hands cuffed dressed in detention attire and a black face mask. He faced away from spectators as officials exhibited the cannabis gummies, totaling 869 grams and valued at four hundred dollars.

He said that accusing him of holding nearly a kilogram of cannabis is unfair and “disturbing,” given that most of the weight comes from the candy material rather than the active ingredient. “I’ve been charged for a large quantity,” he says. “I didn’t have anything near that.”

The player is seeking donations to cover mounting court costs. He has not yet appeared in court although detained months prior, and he is still waiting his initial court date. “They’re making it seem as if I’m a major trafficker,” he says. “What reason would I have to import the candy here to sell? It was for personal use.”

Broader Context and Support

An advocacy director from an organization supporting the release of people imprisoned for cannabis-related offences commented: “Jarred’s case is not unique. Globally, people are serving extreme sentences for low-level cannabis crimes that pose no threat to society.” Even in the US, she noted, many people are still imprisoned for cannabis offences even with legalization in almost half of states and medical approval in most regions. “Such penalties run counter to global human rights norms,” she stated.

The potential efficacy of cannabis on Crohn’s disease lacks extensive research but recent studies have indicated that cannabis can ease persistent pain with minimal risks. This comes as, public figures have discussed potential advantages of cannabis-based medicines.

Similarities exist between Shaw’s case and the situation of another American athlete, the decorated American basketball player detained in another country for nearly a year in 2022 when officials discovered cannabis products in her luggage. 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 in a supportive statement. “He erred. However, it’s unjust that this should ruin his life prospects.”

American officials in Jakarta stated it is aware of the situation but would not comment further.

An advocacy assistant involved in the case said: “Cannabis can’t kill you, but ownership might be. We must get significant focus on this case so that a positive resolution will set a powerful precedent. I’m dedicated to making sure he returns to his mother.”

• The Indonesian National Police did not respond to a request for comment for this story.