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When Jarred Shaw, an American basketball player in Indonesia, descended to the lobby of his residence in recent months to pick up a delivery with illegally imported cannabis gummies, he thought his medication for relieving his Crohn’s disease had arrived.

It had – however, so did 10 undercover police officers. Footage circulating online depicts Shaw, dressed in a dark top and shorts, shouting for help as the swarm of officers move to apprehend him.

Confronting Severe Consequences

The Texan native, aged 35, is confronting potential execution 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 over three seasons in the nation. However, currently he remains in pre-trial detention and faces a lifetime ban from the league.

“I use cannabis as a medicine,” he explained during a call from a prison near Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta. “I have an inflammatory condition called Crohn’s disease that’s untreatable. No other medication apart from cannabis that relieves my abdominal pain.”

During the off-season, Shaw resides in a neighboring country, where cannabis is subject to less restrictive. He says he had endured discomfort of abstaining from cannabis in previous campaigns in Indonesia but says that health reasons spurred him to import the intercepted supply of 132 gummies recently. “It was a foolish error,” he admits.

Legal and Personal Struggles

However, this error does not justify execution or lengthy incarceration, he contends. “I’ve been informed I could end up spending the rest of my life in prison over some edibles,” he says. “This is unlike anything like this.” In the first two months following his detention, he reached “the lowest point in [my] life” and in a “deeply troubled state of mind.”

“I felt helpless and alone,” he shares. “I didn’t want to wake up again.” Yet, with spiritual practices, along with time in a detention center gym, he is starting to feel himself again despite the 6ft 11in athlete occupies a small cell with multiple inmates. “I just turned 35 but I still feel young,” says 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

The player, a center or power forward, says cannabis alleviates his anxiety and depression, in addition to insomnia and the discomfort of his condition. “It’s not for recreation or social events,” he emphasizes. “With my stomach condition, it can be challenging for me to keep food down or use the restroom. It merely eases some of the symptoms.”

The nation enforces strict policies regarding narcotics and carried out 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 drug-related crimes.

Law enforcement stated that Shaw sent text messages his fellow players saying that he would share portions of the edibles among them. “What they consider drugs, I view as treatment,” says Shaw. “Cultural perspectives vary.”

Seeking Support and Resolution

Following his detention, authorities informed the media that Shaw might receive a life sentence or even the death penalty upon conviction. “We are still running the investigation to uncover global drug networks involved preventing further spread,” a representative said.

Shaw was swiftly paraded at a press conference, appearing with his hands cuffed dressed in detention attire and a black face mask. He stood with his back to the audience as officials displayed the seized candies, totaling 869 grams and valued at four hundred dollars.

He argued that to charge him with possession of almost a kilo of cannabis is unfair and “disturbing,” given that most of the weight comes from the candy material rather than the active ingredient. “I’m accused of a large quantity,” he says. “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. “Why would I bring the candy here for sale? It was for personal use.”

Wider Implications and Advocacy

A representative from a group supporting individuals jailed over cannabis commented: “This situation is not an isolated incident. Globally, individuals face harsh penalties for non-violent cannabis offenses which are not dangerous to society.” In the United States as well, she added, tens of thousands remain incarcerated for similar offenses even with legalization in numerous states and a medical greenlight in all but two. “Such penalties contradict global human rights norms,” she emphasized.

Possible benefits of cannabis for Crohn’s lacks extensive research but recent papers suggest that cannabis may relieve chronic lower back pain without serious side effects. This comes as, public figures have discussed potential advantages of cannabis treatments.

There are parallels with this case and that of Brittney Griner, the decorated American basketball player detained in Russia for nearly a year in 2022 when officials discovered cannabis vape cartridges in her bags. She was later freed as part of a prisoner swap with a foreign national.

“He is known as one of the most generous and selfless people you could meet,” his friend said on Shaw’s fundraising page. “Jarred made a mistake. But I don’t believe that this should ruin his entire future.”

The US embassy in Jakarta stated they know about the situation but would not comment further.

An advocacy assistant involved in the case commented: “Cannabis can’t kill you, but possessing it can. It’s crucial to draw as much attention to this situation so that a positive resolution can influence future cases. I am committed to ensuring he returns to his mother.”

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