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When Jarred Shaw, a US athlete playing in Indonesia, descended to his apartment lobby earlier this year to collect a delivery with illegally imported cannabis gummies, he thought the medicine for easing his chronic inflammatory condition had arrived.

Indeed it did – but so too had 10 undercover police officers. A video on social media depicts the athlete, dressed in a black T-shirt and shorts, crying out in distress as multiple law enforcement agents move to apprehend him.

Facing Harsh Penalties

The Texan native, aged 35, could face the possibility of the death penalty or extended imprisonment. He was an integral player of his Indonesian team, who won the national basketball league in 2023, and he accumulated more than 1,000 points over three seasons in the country. However, currently he remains in detention before trial and is banned for life from the IBL.

“Cannabis serves as my treatment,” he explained over the phone from a prison near Jakarta, the capital. “I suffer from an inflammatory condition called Crohn’s that’s incurable. No other medication apart from cannabis that stops my stomach from aching.”

When not playing, Shaw lives in a neighboring country, where cannabis is subject to less restrictive. He mentions he previously suffered the pain of going without cannabis in earlier seasons in Indonesia but explains how medical needs led him to import the intercepted supply of 132 gummies this year. “It was a foolish error,” he says.

Challenges in Law and Life

But that mistake does not justify the death penalty or lengthy incarceration, he contends. “There’s people telling me I’m about to spend the rest of my life in prison over some edibles,” he says. “This is unlike any previous experience.” In the first two months following his detention, he was at “the lowest point in [my] life” and in a “deeply troubled state of mind.”

“I experienced isolation and despair,” he recalls. “I didn’t want to wake up again.” Yet, with spiritual practices, 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 recently celebrated my 35th birthday but my energy remains high,” says the ex-college player, who has played in multiple countries. “I would love to continue my basketball career.”

Treatment Needs Versus Drug Laws

Shaw, a center or power forward, explains cannabis alleviates his mental health struggles, as well as sleeplessness and the discomfort of his condition. “I don’t use it to have fun 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 some of the symptoms.”

Indonesia takes a hard line on drugs and conducted executions in 2016, by firing squad, of several individuals convicted of drug offenses. More than 500 people – including almost 100 foreigners – face execution in the nation, mostly for drug-related crimes.

Law enforcement have said that the athlete messaged his fellow players saying that he planned to distribute some of the cannabis candies among them. “What they consider drugs, I view as treatment,” he remarks. “It’s just different cultures.”

Seeking Support and Resolution

After Shaw’s arrest, police officials told reporters that Shaw could face a life sentence or even the death penalty if found guilty. “We are still running uncover and halt global drug networks involved and to stop its distribution,” an official said.

The athlete was presented during a media event, appearing with his hands cuffed dressed in detention attire and face covering. He faced away from spectators as police chiefs displayed the seized candies, totaling 869 grams and valued at four hundred dollars.

He argued that accusing him of possession of almost a kilo of cannabis is unfair and “disturbing,” given that most of the weight comes from the candy material instead of the active ingredient. “I’m accused of almost a kilo,” he says. “I didn’t have anything near that.”

The player is seeking donations for 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. “They’re making it seem as if I’m a major trafficker,” he says. “What reason would I have to import the candy here for sale? They were for my own needs.”

Broader Context and Support

An advocacy director from an organization campaigning for the release of people jailed over cannabis said: “Jarred’s case is not an isolated incident. Around the world, people are serving harsh penalties for non-violent cannabis offenses which are not dangerous to society.” Even in the US, she added, tens of thousands are still imprisoned for similar offenses even with legalization in almost half of states and a medical greenlight in all but two. “Such penalties contradict international human rights standards,” she stated.

Possible benefits of cannabis for Crohn’s lacks extensive research but recent studies suggest that cannabis can ease chronic lower back pain with minimal risks. This comes as, public figures have discussed potential advantages of cannabis treatments.

Similarities exist with this case and the situation of Brittney Griner, the acclaimed player who was imprisoned in Russia for nearly a year in 2022 after authorities found cannabis products in her bags. Griner was eventually released as part of a prisoner swap with a foreign national.

“He is known as one of the most generous and caring individual one might encounter,” his friend remarked in a supportive statement. “He erred. But I don’t believe that this should ruin his entire future.”

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

A support worker involved in the case said: “Cannabis itself is not lethal, but ownership might be. We must get as much attention on this case in the hope that a favorable outcome will set a powerful precedent. I am committed to ensuring Jarred gets home to his family.”

• The Indonesian National Police offered no reply regarding inquiries on this matter.