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When Jarred Shaw, a US athlete playing in Indonesia, went down to his apartment lobby earlier this year to collect a delivery containing smuggled cannabis gummies, he thought his medication for relieving his Crohn’s disease had arrived.

Indeed it did – however, so did a team of ten plainclothes officers. A video on social media depicts Shaw, dressed in a black T-shirt and shorts, shouting for help as multiple law enforcement agents move to apprehend him.

Confronting Severe Consequences

The Texan native, aged 35, could face the possibility of execution or a long spell behind bars. Previously, he served as a key member of his Indonesian team, which clinched the national basketball league in 2023, and he scored more than 1,000 points over three seasons in the country. However, currently he is languishing in pre-trial detention and is banned for life from the league.

“I use cannabis as a medicine,” he stated over the phone from his cell near Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta. “I have an inflammatory condition called Crohn’s disease that’s untreatable. There’s no medicine apart from cannabis that stops my abdominal pain.”

When not playing, Shaw resides in Thailand, where cannabis is subject to less restrictive. He says he had endured the pain of going without cannabis in earlier seasons in Indonesia but says that medical needs 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 argues. “I’ve been informed I could end up spending my entire future in prison over some edibles,” 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 “really dark mental place.”

“I experienced isolation and despair,” he shares. “I didn’t want to wake up again.” Yet, with prayer and his faith, as well as access to a prison gym, he is gradually recovering despite the 6ft 11in athlete shares a cramped cell with multiple inmates. “I just turned 35 but I still feel young,” notes the ex-college player, with experience in multiple countries. “I would love to continue playing professionally.”

Treatment Needs Versus Drug Laws

Shaw, who plays as a center or power forward, says cannabis alleviates his anxiety and depression, in addition to sleeplessness and the pain from Crohn’s. “It’s not for recreation and go party,” he clarifies. “Due to my digestive issues, sometimes it’s hard to retain meals or use the restroom. It just soothes some of the symptoms.”

The nation enforces strict policies on drugs and carried out executions in 2016, via shooting, of several individuals found guilty of drug offenses. More than 500 people – with nearly a hundred foreigners – are on death row in the nation, mostly for narcotics violations.

Law enforcement stated that Shaw sent text messages his fellow players saying that he planned to distribute portions of the edibles with them. “Their definition of narcotics, I consider medicine,” he remarks. “Cultural perspectives vary.”

Seeking Support and Resolution

Following his detention, authorities told reporters that Shaw could face a life sentence or possibly execution if found guilty. “Our ongoing investigation aims to uncover to uncover the international drugs network involved and to stop its distribution,” an official stated.

Shaw was swiftly paraded during a media event, appearing with his hands cuffed dressed in detention attire and a black face mask. He faced away from spectators as officials displayed the seized candies, totaling 869 grams and are worth $400.

He said that to charge him with possession of almost a kilo of cannabis is unfair and “disturbing,” since the bulk is made up by the candy material rather than the cannabis content. “I’m accused of almost a kilo,” he says. “I didn’t have anything near that.”

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 says. “Why would I bring the candy here for sale? They were for my own needs.”

Wider Implications and Advocacy

A representative from an organization supporting individuals imprisoned for cannabis-related offences commented: “Jarred’s case is not unique. Globally, people are serving extreme sentences for low-level cannabis crimes that pose no threat to society.” In the United States as well, she added, tens of thousands remain incarcerated for cannabis offences even with legalization in almost half of states and a medical greenlight in most regions. “These punishments run counter to international human rights standards,” she stated.

Possible benefits of cannabis on Crohn’s disease is understudied but recent studies suggest that cannabis can ease chronic lower back pain without serious side effects. Amid this, public figures have discussed the benefits of cannabis-based medicines.

There are parallels between Shaw’s case and the situation of another American athlete, the acclaimed player detained in another country for nearly a year in 2022 when officials discovered cannabis vape cartridges in her luggage. She was later freed through an exchange involving a Russian weapons trafficker.

“He is known as an exceptionally kind and caring individual you could meet,” his friend remarked 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 the capital says it is aware of Shaw’s case but declined additional details.

An advocacy assistant involved in the case commented: “Cannabis can’t kill you, but ownership might be. It’s crucial to draw as much attention to this situation so that a positive resolution can influence future cases. I’m dedicated to making sure Jarred gets home to his family.”

• Local authorities did not respond to a request for comment for this story.