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As Jarred Shaw, a US athlete playing in Indonesia, descended to his apartment lobby earlier this year to pick up a package with illegally imported cannabis gummies, he thought his medication for relieving his chronic inflammatory condition had been delivered.

Indeed it did – however, so did a team of ten plainclothes officers. Footage circulating online shows the athlete, dressed in a black T-shirt and shorts, shouting for help as multiple law enforcement agents attempt to detain him.

Confronting Severe Consequences

The Texan native, aged 35, could face the possibility of the death penalty or a long spell behind bars. Previously, he served as a key member of Prawira Bandung, who won the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) in 2023, and he scored more than 1,000 points over three seasons in the nation. But now he is languishing in pre-trial detention and is banned for life from the IBL.

“I use cannabis as a medicine,” he explained over the phone from his cell near Jakarta, the capital. “I have an inflammatory condition called Crohn’s disease that’s incurable. There’s no medicine apart from cannabis that relieves my stomach from aching.”

During the off-season, Shaw lives in a neighboring country, where cannabis is subject to more liberal laws. He mentions he had endured discomfort of abstaining from cannabis in previous campaigns in Indonesia but says that health reasons spurred him to bring in the seized batch of over a hundred edibles recently. “It was a foolish error,” he says.

Challenges in Law and Life

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 my entire future behind bars for cannabis candies,” he states. “I’ve never been through anything like this.” Initially, for weeks after his arrest, he reached “the lowest point in [my] life” 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 starting to feel himself again even while the 6ft 11in athlete occupies a small cell with multiple inmates. “I just turned 35 but my energy remains high,” notes the former Utah State basketballer, who has played in multiple countries. “I hope to resume my basketball career.”

Treatment Needs Versus Drug Laws

Shaw, who plays as a center or power forward, explains 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 clarifies. “Due to my digestive issues, it can be challenging for me to keep food down or go to the toilet. It just soothes the pain a little bit.”

Indonesia takes a hard line on drugs and conducted executions in 2016, by firing squad, of an Indonesian and three foreigners found guilty of drug offenses. More than 500 people – including almost 100 foreigners – are on death row in the country, primarily due to narcotics violations.

Law enforcement stated that the athlete messaged his fellow players saying that he would share some of the cannabis candies with them. “What they consider drugs, I view as treatment,” says Shaw. “Cultural perspectives vary.”

Fundraising and Future Hopes

Following his detention, authorities told reporters that Shaw might receive a life sentence or possibly execution upon conviction. “We are still running uncover and halt global drug networks involved and to stop its distribution,” an official said.

Shaw was swiftly paraded at a press conference, shown in handcuffs dressed in detention attire and a black face mask. He faced away from spectators as police chiefs exhibited the cannabis gummies, totaling 869 grams and are worth $400.

He argued that to charge him with possession of almost a kilo of cannabis is unjust and “sick,” given that most of the weight is made up by the gummies themselves instead of the active ingredient. “I’m accused of almost a kilo,” he says. “My actual possession was far less.”

The player is seeking donations for his rising legal fees. His trial has not begun although detained months prior, and he is still waiting his initial court date. “It’s being portrayed like I’m this big drug dealer,” he says. “What reason would I have to import the candy here to sell? They were for my own needs.”

Wider Implications and Advocacy

A representative from an organization supporting the release of people jailed over cannabis commented: “Jarred’s case is not an isolated incident. Around the world, people are serving extreme sentences for non-violent cannabis offenses which are not dangerous to public safety.” In the United States as well, she noted, tens of thousands remain incarcerated for similar offenses even with legalization in almost half of states and medical approval in most regions. “Such penalties contradict international human rights standards,” she stated.

The potential efficacy of cannabis on Crohn’s disease lacks extensive research but recent papers have indicated that cannabis can ease chronic lower back pain with minimal risks. Amid this, leaders have highlighted potential advantages of cannabis-based medicines.

There are parallels between Shaw’s case and the situation of Brittney Griner, the decorated American basketball player who was imprisoned in another country for nearly a year in 2022 after authorities found cannabis products in her luggage. Griner was eventually released as part of a prisoner swap involving a Russian weapons trafficker.

“He is known as one of the most generous and selfless people one might encounter,” his friend remarked in a supportive statement. “He erred. However, it’s unjust that mistake should cost him his entire future.”

American officials in the capital stated they know about Shaw’s case but would not comment further.

A support worker involved in the case commented: “Cannabis itself is not lethal, but ownership might be. We must get as much attention to this situation in the hope that a favorable outcome can influence future cases. I am committed to making sure Jarred gets home to his mother.”

• Local authorities did not respond regarding inquiries for this story.