Jarred Shaw's Ordeal

Published on October 29, 2025

A Medical Necessity Turns into a Life-Threatening Nightmare

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Jarred Dwayne Shaw, a 34-year-old American professional basketball player from Dallas, Texas, remains detained in an Indonesian prison, facing the possibility of execution for possessing cannabis-infused gummies he claims were essential medicine for his chronic Crohn's disease. Arrested on May 7, 2025, after police raided his apartment in Tangerang Regency near Jakarta, Shaw's case has drawn international scrutiny, highlighting the stark clash between evolving global cannabis attitudes and Indonesia's draconian drug laws. As his legal battle drags on, advocates warn of a potential repeat of high-profile detentions like Brittney Griner's, but with far less media spotlight.

The Arrest: A Package from Thailand Leads to Raids

Shaw, who had been playing for the Tangerang Hawks in the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) since signing in 2024, was targeted following a tip from Soekarno-Hatta Airport customs about a suspicious package shipped from Thailand. Cannabis was decriminalized in Thailand in November 2024, allowing Shaw—accustomed to using it medicinally during off-seasons there—to order what he described as a personal supply.¹

Police raided his apartment, seizing 132 pieces of "Vita Bite" cannabis candies containing Delta-9 THC, with a total gross weight of 869 grams (30.6 ounces).² Shaw admitted during interrogation that he intended to share some with teammates, but emphasized the gummies were for managing his incurable Crohn's disease, which causes severe stomach pain.³ Video footage circulating on social media captured the tense arrest, showing Shaw shouting for help as officers restrained him.⁴

Ronald Sipayung, chief of Soekarno-Hatta Airport police, confirmed the seizure and stated Shaw faces charges under Indonesia's narcotics laws, which could result in life imprisonment or the death penalty by firing squad.⁵ The IBL issued a lifetime ban, and the Hawks terminated his contract for breach.⁶

Shaw's Defense: Medicine, Not Malice

In his first media interview from prison outside Jakarta, Shaw told The Guardian, "I use cannabis as medicine... There's no medicine apart from cannabis that stops my stomach from aching."⁷ He described the cultural disconnect: "What they consider drugs, I consider medicine. It's just different cultures." Shaw, a former Utah State University standout who played in the NBA G-League with the Santa Cruz Warriors in 2015-16, has scored over 1,000 points in three IBL seasons, including helping Prawira Bandung win the 2023 championship.⁸

Shaw disputes the severity of charges, noting the 869-gram figure includes candy weight, not pure THC, and that he ordered only $400 worth for personal use.⁹ His legal team, supported by advocacy group Lawyers for Prisoners' Partners (LPP), argues the case lacks evidence of trafficking intent and seeks a reduced sentence or deportation.¹⁰ Donte West, an LPP advocacy assistant, urged global attention: "Cannabis can't kill you, but possessing it can... We must get as much attention on this case."¹¹

Indonesia's Harsh Drug Laws: A Global Outlier

Indonesia enforces some of the world's strictest narcotics penalties, with over 530 people on death row—96 foreign nationals—mostly for drug offenses.¹² Executions by firing squad have occurred as recently as 2023, though a de facto moratorium has held since then. Shaw's case echoes Griner's 2022 detention in Russia for cannabis oil, resolved via prisoner swap, but Indonesia's stance remains unyielding despite regional shifts like Thailand's decriminalization.¹³

Critics, including human rights groups, decry the laws as disproportionate, especially for medical users. Shaw's detention has sparked calls from U.S. officials for consular access, though the State Department has issued only standard travel warnings for drug risks in Indonesia.¹⁴

Impact on the Cannabis Community and Calls for Action

Shaw's plight underscores the perils of international travel for medical cannabis patients, even in small quantities. Advocacy groups like NORML and the Last Prisoner Project are mobilizing petitions for clemency, emphasizing Crohn's treatment via cannabis is FDA-recognized in the U.S.¹⁵ A GoFundMe for legal fees has raised over $50,000, with Shaw's mother, Jacqueline, pleading, "Bring my son home."¹⁶

As his trial looms—potentially in early 2026—the case amplifies debates on global drug policy reform. For athletes and expats, it serves as a stark reminder: What heals in one nation can condemn in another.

Conclusion

Jarred Shaw's detention transforms a personal health choice into a geopolitical flashpoint, testing the limits of compassion in rigid legal systems. As advocates rally, his story demands we confront outdated prohibitions. How can the international community support cases like this? Share your thoughts below.

For support or updates, visit advocacy sites like Last Prisoner Project.

References

1. CNN, “American basketball player Jarred Shaw arrested in Indonesia for alleged drug smuggling, could face death penalty,” May 15, 2025. Link
2. NDTV, “Ex-College Basketball Star Jarred Shaw Faces Death Penalty In Indonesia For Alleged Drug Smuggling,” May 16, 2025. Link
3. The Guardian, “‘I use cannabis as medicine’: the US basketball player facing execution in Indonesia over $400 of gummies,” October 3, 2025. Link
4. USA Today, “Former college basketball player arrested in Indonesia for alleged drug smuggling,” May 15, 2025. Link
5. Salt Lake Tribune, “Basketball player Jarred Shaw arrested in Indonesia, could face death penalty,” May 20, 2025. Link
6. Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, “Dallas native, pro basketball player could face death penalty after drug arrest in Indonesia,” May 16, 2025. Link
7. Ynet News, “American basketball player facing possible death penalty in Indonesia over cannabis gummies,” October 3, 2025. Link
8. PennLive, “Pro basketball player Jarred Shaw arrested for drug smuggling in Indonesia,” May 19, 2025. Link
9. CannaReporter, “American basketball player Jarred Shaw arrested in Indonesia after receiving cannabis gummies from Thailand,” May 21, 2025. Link
10. PhotoNews, “Jarred Shaw Arrested in Indonesia for Drug Smuggling,” May 16, 2025. Link
11. The Guardian, op. cit.
12. Indonesian Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, Death Row Statistics, 2025.
13. CNN, op. cit.
14. U.S. State Department Travel Advisory, Indonesia, 2025.
15. Last Prisoner Project, “Support Jarred Shaw,” 2025.
16. GoFundMe, “Help Bring Jarred Shaw Home,” October 2025.