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As Jarred Shaw, an American basketball player in Indonesia, descended to his apartment lobby in recent months to collect a delivery with smuggled cannabis gummies, he believed his medication for easing his chronic inflammatory condition had been delivered.

Indeed it did – however, so did a team of ten plainclothes officers. Footage circulating online 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, is confronting potential execution or extended imprisonment. Previously, he served as an integral player of his Indonesian team, who won the national basketball league in 2023, and he scored over a thousand points over three seasons in the country. However, currently he remains in detention before trial and is banned for life from the IBL.

“I use cannabis as a medicine,” he stated over the phone from a prison near Jakarta, the capital. “I have a chronic inflammation called Crohn’s disease that’s untreatable. There’s no medicine besides cannabis that relieves my abdominal pain.”

During the off-season, the athlete resides in a neighboring country, where cannabis is subject to more liberal laws. He mentions he had endured discomfort of going without cannabis in previous campaigns in Indonesia but says that health reasons spurred him to import the intercepted supply of 132 gummies recently. “It was a foolish error,” he admits.

Challenges in Law and Life

But that mistake does not justify the death penalty 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 states. “This is unlike anything like this.” In the first two months following his detention, he reached “the lowest point in [my] life” and in a “really dark mental place.”

“I felt helpless and alone,” he recalls. “I didn’t want to wake up again.” Yet, with prayer and his faith, along with time in a prison gym, he is gradually recovering even while the 6ft 11in athlete occupies a small cell with multiple inmates. “I just turned 35 but my energy remains high,” notes the former Utah State basketballer, who has played in multiple countries. “I would love to continue playing professionally.”

Treatment Needs Versus Drug Laws

Shaw, who plays as a center or power forward, explains cannabis alleviates his anxiety and depression, in addition to insomnia and the pain from Crohn’s. “It’s not for recreation and go party,” he emphasizes. “Due to my digestive issues, sometimes it’s hard for me to keep food down or use the restroom. It merely eases the pain a little bit.”

Indonesia takes a hard line on drugs and conducted executions in 2016, by firing squad, of an Indonesian and three foreigners convicted of drug-related crimes. Over five hundred individuals – including almost 100 foreigners – face execution in the country, primarily due to narcotics violations.

Indonesian police stated that the athlete messaged to his teammates indicating he planned to distribute some of the cannabis candies among them. “What they consider drugs, I view as treatment,” he remarks. “Cultural perspectives vary.”

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 to uncover the international drugs network involved preventing further spread,” an official stated.

Shaw was swiftly paraded at a press conference, shown in handcuffs dressed in detention attire and face covering. He stood with his back to the audience as officials displayed the cannabis gummies, totaling 869 grams and are worth $400.

He said that accusing him of holding nearly a kilogram of cannabis is unfair and “disturbing,” given that most of the weight is made up by the candy material rather than the active ingredient. “I’ve been charged for a large quantity,” he notes. “My actual possession was far less.”

The player is seeking donations to cover 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 these items for sale? It was for personal use.”

Broader Context and Support

An advocacy director from an organization supporting individuals imprisoned for cannabis-related offences commented: “This situation is not unique. Around the world, people are serving harsh penalties for low-level cannabis crimes that pose no threat to public safety.” In the United States as well, she added, tens of thousands are still imprisoned for similar offenses even with legalization in numerous states and medical approval 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 without serious side effects. This comes as, leaders have highlighted the benefits of cannabis treatments.

Similarities exist between Shaw’s case and that of Brittney Griner, the decorated American basketball player detained in Russia for nearly a year in 2022 when officials discovered cannabis products in her luggage. She was later freed as part of a prisoner swap with a foreign national.

“He is known as one of the most generous and caring individual one might encounter,” 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 Shaw’s case but declined additional details.

A support worker handling Shaw’s case commented: “Cannabis itself is not lethal, but possessing it can. It’s crucial to draw as much attention on this case so that a positive resolution will set a powerful precedent. I’m dedicated to making sure he returns to his mother.”

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