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When the American basketball player, an American basketball player in Indonesia, descended to his apartment lobby earlier this year to collect a delivery with illegally imported cannabis gummies, he thought his medication for relieving his Crohn’s disease had been delivered.

Indeed it did – however, so did 10 undercover police officers. A video on social media depicts 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 Texan native, aged 35, could face potential the death penalty or a long spell behind bars. Previously, he served as a key member of Prawira Bandung, which clinched the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) in 2023, and he accumulated over a thousand points across three years in the nation. However, currently he is languishing in detention before trial and faces a lifetime ban from the league.

“Cannabis serves as my treatment,” he explained over the phone from his cell just outside Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta. “I have 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 lives in Thailand, where the laws on cannabis are less restrictive. He says he had endured the pain of abstaining from cannabis in earlier seasons in Indonesia but says that health reasons led him to bring in the seized batch of over a hundred edibles this year. “It was a foolish error,” he admits.

Challenges in Law and Life

However, this error does not justify execution or lengthy incarceration, he contends. “There’s people telling me I could end up spending the rest of my life behind bars for cannabis candies,” he says. “I’ve never been through any previous experience.” Initially, for weeks following his detention, 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.” But through 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 my energy remains high,” says the ex-college player, who has played in Argentina, Japan, Turkey, Thailand and Tunisia. “I would love to continue my basketball career.”

Treatment Needs Versus Drug Laws

Shaw, a center or power forward, says cannabis helps ease his anxiety and depression, as well as insomnia and the pain from Crohn’s. “It’s not for recreation or social events,” he emphasizes. “With my stomach condition, it can be challenging to retain meals or use the restroom. It merely eases some of the symptoms.”

The nation enforces strict policies on drugs and carried out executions in 2016, by firing squad, of several individuals found guilty of drug offenses. More than 500 people – with nearly a hundred foreigners – are on death row in the nation, primarily due to narcotics violations.

Indonesian police have said that Shaw sent text messages to his teammates indicating he would share portions of the edibles with them. “Their definition of narcotics, I view as treatment,” says Shaw. “It’s just different cultures.”

Seeking Support and Resolution

Following his detention, police officials informed the media that the American might receive life in prison or possibly execution if found guilty. “We are still running uncover to uncover global drug networks involved preventing further spread,” an official said.

The athlete was presented at a press conference, shown in handcuffs dressed in detention attire and face covering. He stood with his back to the audience as police chiefs displayed the cannabis gummies, totaling 869 grams and are worth $400.

He argued that accusing him of holding nearly a kilogram of cannabis is unjust and “disturbing,” given that the bulk is made up by 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 mounting court costs. He has not yet appeared in court although detained months prior, and he awaits his initial court 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.”

Wider Implications and Advocacy

A representative from an organization campaigning for individuals imprisoned for cannabis-related offences commented: “This situation is not unique. Around the world, individuals face harsh penalties for low-level cannabis crimes which are not dangerous to public safety.” Even in the US, she added, many people are still imprisoned for cannabis offences 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.

Possible benefits of cannabis on Crohn’s disease lacks extensive research but recent studies have indicated that cannabis may relieve persistent pain with minimal risks. This comes as, leaders have discussed the benefits of cannabis-based medicines.

There are parallels with this case and the situation of Brittney Griner, the acclaimed player detained in another country for nearly a year in 2022 when officials discovered cannabis vape cartridges in her luggage. Griner was eventually released through an exchange involving a Russian weapons trafficker.

“He is known as an exceptionally kind and selfless people you could meet,” a close associate remarked in a supportive statement. “Jarred made a mistake. But I don’t believe that mistake should cost him his life prospects.”

The US embassy in the capital stated it is aware of the situation but would not comment further.

An advocacy assistant handling Shaw’s case commented: “Cannabis can’t kill you, but possessing it can. It’s crucial to draw as much attention on this case so that a favorable outcome can influence future cases. I am committed to ensuring he returns to his family.”

• Local authorities offered no reply regarding inquiries on this matter.