‘I Use Cannabis as Medicine’: The US Athlete Confronting Execution For $400 Worth of Cannabis Candies.

When the American basketball player, an American basketball player in Indonesia, descended to his apartment lobby in recent months to collect a delivery with smuggled cannabis gummies, he believed the medicine for relieving his chronic inflammatory condition had arrived.

Indeed it did – however, so did 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 move to apprehend him.

Facing Harsh Penalties

The 35-year-old from Dallas, Texas, could face the possibility of the death penalty or a long spell behind bars. He was a key member of his Indonesian team, 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 remains in pre-trial detention and is banned for life from the IBL.

“I use cannabis as a medicine,” he explained over the phone from a prison near Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta. “I have an inflammatory condition called Crohn’s that’s untreatable. No other medication apart from cannabis that relieves my stomach from aching.”

When not playing, the athlete lives in a neighboring country, where the laws on cannabis are less restrictive. He says he had endured discomfort of going without cannabis in previous campaigns in Indonesia but explains how health reasons led him to bring in the intercepted supply of over a hundred edibles recently. “It was a foolish error,” he says.

Challenges in Law and Life

However, this error should not warrant the death penalty or lengthy incarceration, he contends. “I’ve been informed I could end up spending the rest of my life behind bars over some edibles,” he says. “I’ve never been through anything like this.” In the first two months following his detention, he was at “the lowest point in [my] life” and in a “really dark mental place.”

“I felt helpless and alone,” he shares. “I didn’t want to wake up again.” But through spiritual practices, as well as access to a detention center gym, he is starting to feel himself again even while the tall sportsman shares a cramped cell with a dozen men. “I just turned 35 but I still feel young,” notes the ex-college player, with experience in Argentina, Japan, Turkey, Thailand and Tunisia. “I hope to resume my basketball career.”

Medical Use vs. Legal Perception

The player, a center or power forward, explains cannabis alleviates his anxiety and depression, in addition to sleeplessness and the pain from Crohn’s. “It’s not for recreation or social events,” he clarifies. “Due to my digestive issues, 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 conducted executions in 2016, by firing squad, of an Indonesian and three foreigners found guilty of drug offenses. More than 500 people – including almost 100 foreigners – face execution in the country, primarily due to drug-related crimes.

Indonesian police stated that Shaw sent text messages to his teammates indicating he would share portions of the edibles among them. “Their definition of narcotics, I consider medicine,” says Shaw. “Cultural perspectives vary.”

Seeking Support and Resolution

Following his detention, authorities informed the media that Shaw could face a life sentence or possibly execution upon conviction. “We are still running uncover and halt global drug networks involved and to stop its distribution,” a representative said.

Shaw was swiftly paraded during a media event, appearing with his hands cuffed dressed in detention attire and face covering. He stood with his back to the audience as police chiefs exhibited the cannabis gummies, which weigh 869 grams in total and valued at four hundred dollars.

He said that to charge him with holding nearly a kilogram of cannabis is unfair and “disturbing,” given that most of the weight comes from the candy material instead of the cannabis content. “I’m accused of a large quantity,” he notes. “My actual possession was far less.”

Shaw is fundraising to cover mounting court costs. His trial has not begun although detained months prior, and he is still waiting for a first appearance date. “They’re making it seem like I’m this big drug dealer,” he asserts. “What reason would I have to import the candy here for sale? They were for my own needs.”

Broader Context and Support

An advocacy director from an organization campaigning for individuals jailed over cannabis commented: “This situation is not unique. Globally, individuals face harsh penalties for non-violent cannabis offenses which are not dangerous to public safety.” Even in the US, she added, many people remain incarcerated for cannabis offences despite recreational legalization in numerous states and medical approval in all but two. “Such penalties contradict global human rights norms,” she stated.

The potential efficacy of cannabis on Crohn’s disease is understudied but recent studies have indicated that cannabis may relieve chronic lower back pain with minimal risks. This comes as, public figures have discussed potential advantages of cannabis-based medicines.

There are parallels with this case and that of another American athlete, the decorated American basketball player detained in Russia for 10 months in 2022 after authorities found cannabis products in her luggage. She was later freed as part of a prisoner swap involving a Russian weapons trafficker.

“He is known as one of the most generous and caring individual one might encounter,” his friend remarked in a supportive statement. “Jarred made a mistake. However, it’s unjust that mistake should cost him his entire future.”

American officials in the capital stated they know about Shaw’s case but declined additional details.

A support worker involved in the case commented: “Cannabis can’t kill you, but ownership might be. It’s crucial to draw significant focus to this situation so that a positive resolution can influence future cases. I am committed to making sure he returns to his family.”

• Local authorities did not respond regarding inquiries on this matter.