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As the American basketball player, a US athlete playing in Indonesia, went down to his apartment lobby in recent months to pick up a delivery with smuggled cannabis gummies, he believed the medicine for easing his Crohn’s disease had arrived.

It had – but so too had 10 undercover police officers. A video on social media depicts Shaw, dressed in a black T-shirt and shorts, crying out in distress as the swarm of officers move to apprehend him.

Facing Harsh Penalties

The Texan native, aged 35, could face the possibility of the death penalty or extended imprisonment. Previously, he served as an integral player of his Indonesian team, 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 remains in detention before trial and faces a lifetime ban from the IBL.

“Cannabis serves as my treatment,” he explained during a call from his cell just outside Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta. “I suffer from an inflammatory condition called Crohn’s that’s untreatable. No other medication besides cannabis that relieves my stomach from aching.”

When not playing, Shaw lives in Thailand, where the laws on cannabis are less restrictive. He says he previously suffered discomfort of abstaining from cannabis in earlier seasons in Indonesia but explains how medical needs spurred him to bring in the intercepted supply of over a hundred edibles recently. “It was a foolish error,” he says.

Legal and Personal Struggles

However, this error should not warrant the death penalty or lengthy incarceration, he contends. “There’s people telling me I’m about to spend my entire future behind bars over some edibles,” he states. “I’ve never been through anything like this.” Initially, for weeks after his arrest, he was at “my most difficult period” and in a “deeply troubled state of mind.”

“I experienced isolation and despair,” he recalls. “Waking up felt unbearable.” Yet, with prayer and his faith, as well as access to a detention center 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 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 insomnia and the discomfort of his condition. “I don’t use it to have fun and go party,” he emphasizes. “With my stomach condition, sometimes it’s hard to retain meals or use the restroom. It just soothes some of the symptoms.”

Indonesia takes a hard line regarding narcotics and conducted executions in 2016, via shooting, of an Indonesian and three foreigners found guilty of drug offenses. Over five hundred individuals – including almost 100 foreigners – face execution in the country, mostly for drug-related crimes.

Law enforcement stated that the athlete messaged to his teammates indicating he would share portions of the edibles among them. “Their definition of narcotics, I view as treatment,” says Shaw. “It’s just different cultures.”

Fundraising and Future Hopes

Following his detention, police officials told reporters that Shaw could face life in prison or possibly execution if found guilty. “We are still running the investigation to uncover the international drugs network involved and to stop its distribution,” an official said.

Shaw was swiftly paraded at a press conference, appearing with his hands cuffed dressed in detention attire and a black face mask. He faced away from spectators as officials displayed the cannabis gummies, totaling 869 grams and valued at four hundred dollars.

He said that accusing him of possession of almost a kilo of cannabis is unfair and “sick,” given that most of the weight comes from the gummies themselves rather than the cannabis content. “I’ve been charged for almost a kilo,” he notes. “My actual possession was far less.”

Shaw is fundraising to cover his rising legal fees. He has not yet appeared in court although detained months prior, and he awaits 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 these items to sell? They were for my own needs.”

Broader Context and Support

A representative from a group campaigning for the release of people jailed over cannabis said: “This situation is not an isolated incident. Globally, people are serving harsh penalties for low-level cannabis crimes that pose no threat to public safety.” Even in the US, she added, tens of thousands are still imprisoned for cannabis offences even with legalization in numerous states and a medical greenlight in most regions. “Such penalties run counter to international human rights standards,” she emphasized.

Possible benefits of cannabis on Crohn’s disease is understudied but recent studies suggest that cannabis may relieve chronic lower back pain without serious side effects. This comes as, leaders have discussed potential advantages of cannabis-based medicines.

Similarities exist with this case and that of another American athlete, the acclaimed player detained 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 with a foreign national.

“He is known as an exceptionally kind and selfless people you could meet,” his friend said on Shaw’s fundraising page. “Jarred made a mistake. But I don’t believe that mistake should cost him his entire future.”

American officials in the capital says it is aware of 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 can influence future cases. I am committed to ensuring he returns to his mother.”

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