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‘I Use Cannabis as Medicine’: American Athlete Facing Execution Over $Four Hundred Worth of Cannabis Candies.
As Jarred Shaw, an American basketball player in Indonesia, descended to the lobby of his residence in recent months to collect a delivery with smuggled cannabis gummies, he thought the medicine for easing his Crohn’s disease had arrived.
It had – however, so did 10 undercover police officers. A video on social media depicts the athlete, wearing a dark top and shorts, shouting for help as the swarm of officers move to apprehend him.
Facing Harsh Penalties
The 35-year-old from Dallas, Texas, is confronting the possibility of execution or a long spell behind bars. He was a key member of his Indonesian team, who won the national basketball league in 2023, and he scored over a thousand points across three years in the country. However, currently he remains in detention before trial and is banned for life from the league.
“Cannabis serves as my treatment,” he explained over the phone from a prison just outside Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta. “I have a chronic inflammation called Crohn’s that’s untreatable. No other medication besides cannabis that relieves my abdominal pain.”
During the off-season, 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 previous campaigns in Indonesia but says that health reasons led him to import the seized batch of over a hundred edibles this year. “It was a foolish error,” he admits.
Legal and Personal Struggles
However, this error does not justify execution or lengthy incarceration, he argues. “There’s people telling me I could end up spending my entire future in prison 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 experienced isolation and despair,” he shares. “I didn’t want to wake up again.” But through spiritual practices, along with time in a prison gym, he is gradually recovering even while the 6ft 11in athlete shares a cramped cell with multiple inmates. “I just turned 35 but I still feel young,” notes the former Utah State basketballer, who has played in Argentina, Japan, Turkey, Thailand and Tunisia. “I would love to continue my basketball career.”
Medical Use vs. Legal Perception
The player, a center or power forward, says cannabis alleviates his mental health struggles, as well as insomnia and the pain from Crohn’s. “I don’t use it to have fun or social events,” he emphasizes. “With my stomach condition, sometimes it’s hard to retain meals or use the restroom. It just soothes some of the symptoms.”
The nation enforces strict policies regarding narcotics and conducted executions in 2016, by firing squad, of an Indonesian and three foreigners convicted of drug-related crimes. Over five hundred individuals – with nearly a hundred foreigners – face execution in the nation, primarily due to narcotics violations.
Law enforcement have said that Shaw sent text messages his fellow players indicating he would share some of the cannabis candies among them. “What they consider drugs, I view as treatment,” he remarks. “It’s just different cultures.”
Seeking Support and Resolution
After Shaw’s arrest, police officials told reporters that Shaw could face a life sentence or even the death penalty upon conviction. “Our ongoing investigation aims to uncover to uncover global drug networks behind this case preventing further spread,” a representative stated.
The athlete was presented during a media event, shown in handcuffs dressed in detention attire and a black face mask. 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 unjust and “disturbing,” since most of the weight is made up by the candy material rather than the active ingredient. “I’m accused of a large quantity,” he says. “I didn’t have anything near that.”
The player is seeking donations for his rising legal fees. 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. “Why would I bring these items for sale? They were for my own needs.”
Wider Implications and Advocacy
A representative from a group supporting individuals jailed over cannabis commented: “This situation is not unique. Globally, individuals face harsh penalties for low-level cannabis crimes which are not dangerous to society.” Even in the US, she added, many people remain incarcerated for similar offenses despite recreational legalization in almost half of states and a medical greenlight in all but two. “Such penalties run counter to global human rights norms,” she stated.
Possible benefits of cannabis on Crohn’s disease lacks extensive research but recent studies suggest that cannabis may relieve chronic lower back pain with minimal risks. This comes as, leaders have highlighted potential advantages of cannabis-based medicines.
There are parallels with this case and the situation of another American athlete, the decorated American basketball player who was imprisoned in another country for 10 months in 2022 after authorities found cannabis products in her bags. 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,” his friend said in a supportive statement. “Jarred made a mistake. However, it’s unjust that this should ruin his entire future.”
The US embassy in the capital stated they know about the situation but declined additional details.
A support worker handling Shaw’s case commented: “Cannabis itself is not lethal, but possessing it can. We must get significant focus on this case so that a positive resolution will set a powerful precedent. I’m dedicated to ensuring he returns to his mother.”
- The Indonesian National Police did not respond regarding inquiries for this story.
Brian Hernandez
A passionate writer and shopping enthusiast with a keen eye for quality products and lifestyle trends.
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