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When the American basketball player, a US athlete playing in Indonesia, went down to his apartment lobby earlier this year to collect a delivery containing illegally imported cannabis gummies, he thought the medicine for easing his chronic inflammatory condition had arrived.

It had – however, so did a team of ten plainclothes 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, could face 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 over a thousand points over three seasons in the country. However, currently he is languishing in detention before trial and faces a lifetime ban from the IBL.

“Cannabis serves as my treatment,” he explained over the phone from his cell just outside Jakarta, the capital. “I have a chronic inflammation called Crohn’s disease that’s incurable. There’s no medicine besides cannabis that relieves my stomach from aching.”

During the off-season, Shaw resides in Thailand, where the laws on cannabis are less restrictive. He mentions he had endured discomfort of going without cannabis in earlier seasons in Indonesia but explains how medical needs spurred him to import the intercepted supply of over a hundred edibles recently. “It was a foolish error,” he admits.

Challenges in Law and Life

But that mistake does not justify execution or lengthy incarceration, he argues. “I’ve been informed I’m about to spend 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 “really dark mental place.”

“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 starting to feel himself again even while the 6ft 11in athlete occupies a small cell with multiple inmates. “I just turned 35 but I still feel young,” notes the ex-college player, 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, explains cannabis helps ease his anxiety and depression, in addition to sleeplessness and the pain from Crohn’s. “I don’t use it to have fun and go party,” he clarifies. “Due to my digestive issues, sometimes it’s hard for me to keep food down or go to the toilet. It just soothes some of the symptoms.”

The nation enforces strict policies on drugs 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 – are on death row in the country, primarily due to drug-related crimes.

Law enforcement have said that the athlete messaged his fellow players saying that he would share portions of the edibles with them. “Their definition of narcotics, I consider medicine,” says Shaw. “It’s just different cultures.”

Seeking Support and Resolution

After Shaw’s arrest, authorities informed the media that Shaw might receive a life sentence or even the death penalty if found guilty. “We are still running uncover to uncover global drug networks involved and to stop its distribution,” a representative said.

Shaw was swiftly paraded during a media event, appearing with his hands cuffed wearing an orange prison-issue T-shirt and a black face mask. He faced away from spectators as officials exhibited the cannabis gummies, 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 most of the weight is made up by the candy material instead of the cannabis content. “I’m accused of almost a kilo,” he says. “I didn’t have anything near that.”

Shaw is fundraising to cover mounting court costs. He has not yet appeared in court although detained months prior, and he awaits for a first appearance date. “They’re making it seem like I’m this big drug dealer,” he says. “Why would I bring the candy here to sell? It was for personal use.”

Wider Implications and Advocacy

A representative from an organization supporting individuals imprisoned for cannabis-related offences said: “This situation is not an isolated incident. Around the world, individuals face harsh penalties for non-violent cannabis offenses that pose no threat to public safety.” 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 a medical greenlight in most regions. “These punishments run counter to global human rights norms,” she emphasized.

Possible benefits of cannabis for Crohn’s is understudied but recent studies suggest that cannabis may relieve persistent pain with minimal risks. Amid this, leaders have discussed the benefits of cannabis treatments.

Similarities exist between Shaw’s case and that of Brittney Griner, the acclaimed player who was imprisoned in another country for 10 months in 2022 after authorities found cannabis products in her bags. She was later freed as part of a prisoner swap with a foreign national.

“He is known as an exceptionally kind and selfless people one might encounter,” his friend remarked in a supportive statement. “Jarred made a mistake. However, it’s unjust that mistake should cost him his entire future.”

The US embassy in the capital says they know about the situation but declined additional details.

An advocacy assistant involved in the case said: “Cannabis can’t kill you, but ownership might be. We must get as much attention to this situation so that a favorable outcome will set a powerful precedent. I’m dedicated to ensuring Jarred gets home to his family.”

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