🔗 Share this article

When Jarred Shaw, a US athlete playing in Indonesia, descended to his apartment lobby earlier this year to collect a delivery containing smuggled cannabis gummies, he thought the medicine for relieving his chronic inflammatory condition had been delivered.

It had – however, so did 10 undercover police officers. A video on social media shows the athlete, wearing a black T-shirt and shorts, crying out in distress as multiple law enforcement agents attempt to detain him.

Facing Harsh Penalties

The 35-year-old from Dallas, Texas, could face the possibility of execution or a long spell behind bars. He was a key member of his Indonesian team, which clinched the national basketball league in 2023, and he scored over a thousand points across three years in the country. However, currently he remains in pre-trial detention and faces a lifetime ban from the IBL.

“Cannabis serves as my treatment,” he explained over the phone from his cell near Jakarta, the capital. “I suffer from an inflammatory condition called Crohn’s that’s untreatable. No other medication apart from cannabis that relieves my abdominal pain.”

During the off-season, the athlete resides in Thailand, where the laws on cannabis are more liberal laws. He says he previously suffered discomfort of abstaining from cannabis in earlier seasons in Indonesia but says that health reasons led him to bring in the intercepted supply of over a hundred edibles recently. “I made a stupid mistake,” he says.

Challenges in Law and Life

However, this error should not warrant execution or a long spell in prison, he contends. “I’ve been informed I’m about to spend my entire future in prison for cannabis candies,” he says. “This is unlike anything like this.” In the first two months following his detention, he was at “my most difficult period” and in a “deeply troubled state of mind.”

“I felt helpless and alone,” he shares. “Waking up felt unbearable.” But through spiritual practices, as well as access to a prison gym, he is starting to feel himself again despite the 6ft 11in athlete occupies a small cell with multiple inmates. “I recently celebrated my 35th birthday but my energy remains high,” notes 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

Shaw, who plays as a center or power forward, says cannabis alleviates his mental health struggles, as well as sleeplessness and the pain from Crohn’s. “I don’t use it to have fun or social events,” he emphasizes. “With my stomach condition, sometimes it’s hard 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, via shooting, of an Indonesian and three foreigners found guilty of drug-related crimes. Over five hundred individuals – with nearly a hundred foreigners – face execution in the country, mostly for narcotics violations.

Law enforcement stated that the athlete messaged his fellow players indicating he planned to distribute portions of the edibles with them. “Their definition of narcotics, I view as treatment,” he remarks. “It’s just different cultures.”

Seeking Support and Resolution

After Shaw’s arrest, police officials informed the media that Shaw could face a life sentence or even the death penalty upon conviction. “Our ongoing investigation aims to the investigation to uncover global drug networks behind this case and to stop its distribution,” an official stated.

Shaw was swiftly paraded during a media event, shown in handcuffs dressed in detention attire and face covering. He faced away from spectators as police chiefs exhibited the cannabis gummies, which weigh 869 grams in total and are worth $400.

He argued that accusing him of holding nearly a kilogram of cannabis is unfair and “sick,” since the bulk comes from the gummies themselves rather than the cannabis content. “I’m accused of almost a kilo,” he notes. “My actual possession was far less.”

Shaw is fundraising for mounting court costs. He has not yet appeared in court despite being arrested five months ago, and he is still waiting his initial court date. “It’s being portrayed as if I’m a major trafficker,” he asserts. “What reason would I have to import the candy here for sale? They were for my own needs.”

Wider Implications and Advocacy

A representative from a group supporting the release of people jailed over cannabis commented: “Jarred’s case is not an isolated incident. Around the world, people are serving 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 remain incarcerated for similar offenses even with legalization in almost half of states and a medical greenlight in all but two. “These punishments run counter to global human rights norms,” she emphasized.

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

There are parallels with this case and that of another American athlete, the decorated American basketball player who was imprisoned in Russia for nearly a year in 2022 after authorities found cannabis vape cartridges in her bags. She was later freed through an exchange with a foreign national.

“He is known as an exceptionally kind and caring individual one might encounter,” a close associate remarked in a supportive statement. “He erred. However, it’s unjust that this should ruin his life prospects.”

American officials in Jakarta says it is aware of Shaw’s case but declined additional details.

An advocacy assistant handling Shaw’s case said: “Cannabis itself is not lethal, but possessing it can. We must get significant focus to this situation so that a positive resolution can influence future cases. I’m dedicated to making sure he returns to his family.”

• The Indonesian National Police offered no reply to a request for comment on this matter.