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As Jarred Shaw, a US athlete playing in Indonesia, went down to his apartment lobby earlier this year to collect a delivery containing illegally imported 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 shows Shaw, dressed in a dark top and shorts, crying out in distress as the swarm of officers attempt to detain him.

Confronting Severe Consequences

The Texan native, aged 35, could face potential execution or a long spell behind bars. Previously, he served as an integral player of his Indonesian team, who won the national basketball league in 2023, and he scored more than 1,000 points across three years in the nation. However, currently he remains in pre-trial detention and is banned for life from the IBL.

“Cannabis serves as my treatment,” he explained over the phone from his cell just outside Jakarta, the capital. “I suffer from an inflammatory condition called Crohn’s disease that’s incurable. There’s no medicine besides cannabis that stops my abdominal pain.”

When not playing, the athlete resides in a neighboring country, where the laws on cannabis are more liberal laws. He mentions he had endured the pain of going without 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. “I made a stupid mistake,” he says.

Challenges in Law and Life

But that mistake does not justify the death penalty or lengthy incarceration, he contends. “I’ve been informed I could end up spending the rest of my life in prison over some edibles,” he states. “This is unlike any previous experience.” In the first two months following his detention, he reached “my most difficult period” and in a “really dark mental place.”

“I felt helpless and alone,” he recalls. “Waking up felt unbearable.” But through prayer and his faith, along with time in a prison gym, he is gradually recovering despite the tall sportsman occupies a small cell with multiple inmates. “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

The player, who plays as a center or power forward, explains cannabis alleviates his anxiety and depression, in addition to sleeplessness and the discomfort of his condition. “It’s not for recreation or social events,” he clarifies. “Due to my digestive issues, sometimes it’s hard for me to keep food down or use the restroom. It just soothes some of the symptoms.”

The nation enforces strict policies on drugs and carried out executions in 2016, by firing squad, of an Indonesian and three foreigners convicted of drug offenses. Over five hundred individuals – including almost 100 foreigners – are on death row in the country, mostly for drug-related crimes.

Law enforcement have said that Shaw sent text messages his fellow players saying that he would share portions of the edibles among them. “Their definition of narcotics, I view as treatment,” he remarks. “It’s just different cultures.”

Fundraising and Future Hopes

After Shaw’s arrest, authorities informed the media that Shaw could face a life sentence or even the death penalty upon conviction. “We are still running the investigation and halt the international drugs network involved preventing further spread,” an official stated.

The athlete was presented at a press conference, appearing with his hands cuffed dressed in detention attire and face covering. He faced away from spectators as police chiefs displayed the cannabis gummies, totaling 869 grams and are worth $400.

He argued that to charge him with holding nearly a kilogram of cannabis is unfair and “sick,” given that the bulk comes from the gummies themselves rather than the cannabis content. “I’ve been charged for almost a kilo,” he notes. “I didn’t have anything near that.”

The player is seeking donations to cover his rising legal fees. His trial has not begun despite being arrested five months ago, 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 these items to sell? It was for personal use.”

Wider Implications and Advocacy

A representative from an organization campaigning for the release of people imprisoned for cannabis-related offences said: “Jarred’s case is not an isolated incident. Globally, people are serving extreme sentences for non-violent cannabis offenses that pose no threat to society.” In the United States as well, she added, tens of thousands remain incarcerated for similar offenses despite recreational legalization in numerous states and a medical greenlight in all but two. “These punishments run counter to international human rights standards,” she stated.

The potential efficacy of cannabis for Crohn’s is understudied but recent studies suggest that cannabis may relieve persistent pain with minimal risks. This comes as, leaders have highlighted potential advantages of cannabis-based medicines.

There are parallels with this case and that of Brittney Griner, the decorated American basketball player detained 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.

“Jarred has always been one of the most generous and selfless people you could meet,” his friend said in a supportive statement. “He erred. However, it’s unjust that this should ruin his life prospects.”

American officials in Jakarta stated it is aware of Shaw’s case but would not comment further.

A support worker handling Shaw’s case commented: “Cannabis itself is not lethal, but ownership might be. It’s crucial to draw 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 did not respond to a request for comment for this story.