A professional basketball player from the United States is facing severe legal consequences in Indonesia for being found in possession of cannabis gummies valued at $400. Jarred Shaw, a 35-year-old athlete hailing from Dallas, Texas, previously played college basketball for the Utah State Aggies and later joined the Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA development league draft of 2015.

Throughout his career, Shaw played basketball in various countries, including Tunisia, Argentina, Thailand, Uruguay, and Venezuela, before relocating to Indonesia in 2022 to play for Prawira Bandung. He later transferred to Satria Muda Peramina and then to Tangerang Hawks in 2024.

Shaw’s legal troubles began in May when he was apprehended by undercover officers while attempting to collect a package containing 132 cannabis gummies that had been unlawfully imported from Thailand. Following his arrest, Shaw was dismissed from Tangerang Hawks and banned for life from the Indonesian Basketball League.

Indonesia has a strict stance on illegal drugs, with numerous individuals on death row for drug-related offenses. Shaw defended his possession of cannabis gummies, stating that he uses them for medical purposes to alleviate symptoms of Crohn’s disease, an incurable inflammatory condition that only cannabis helps manage.

Despite admitting to a “stupid mistake,” Shaw expressed feeling isolated and mentally strained due to his situation. While awaiting his court appearance, authorities have suggested that he could potentially face life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted.

Advocates like Stephanie Shepard from the Last Prisoner Project have voiced support for Shaw, citing concerns over the severity of penalties for non-violent cannabis offenses around the world. They argue that such punishments contradict international human rights standards.