Jarred Shaw, a 35-year-old former NBA player now living in his hometown of Dallas, Texas, has entered a new level of danger in Indonesia. Authorities seized 132 edible gummies containing cannabis that he imported, weighing 869 grams and worth about $400. The center and power forward for Prawira Bandung, who led his team to the 2023 Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) championship. Now, he must confront the harsh reality of execution or life in prison because of the country’s draconian drug laws.
Shaw’s legal woes started five months ago when he was arrested for carrying the cannabis edibles into Indonesia. He has now been crime-free for almost five years, and surely no longer poses any threat whatsoever. This bizarre situation has drawn a lot interest from both advocates and legal eagles. The athlete claims that he uses cannabis to alleviate symptoms of Crohn’s disease, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain, emphasizing that he does not use it recreationally.
I have the incurable inflammatory condition Crohn’s disease. There is no medication other than cannabis that prevents my stomach from hurting, Shaw said, emphasizing how much he’s depended on cannabis as a medical treatment.
Shaw has had a tremendous impact on the growth of the game during his short tenure in Indonesia. He has eclipsed 1,000 points in three seasons thus far. While their athletic contributions on the court have created a legacy worthy of adoration, it is their actions off of it that have resulted in such devastating outcomes. In the hours leading up to his death, he allegedly texted teammates offering to bring them edibles filled with marijuana. This would have served to increase his charges significantly.
Having previously lived in Thailand during the offseason, Shaw places himself firmly within a culture with far more relaxed cannabis laws. This environment deeply influences his approach to and understanding of the substance. “What they consider drugs, I consider medicine. It’s just different cultures,” he remarked.
Bree Petruzio, Shaw’s friend and former co-worker, who has been an outspoken advocate for Shaw. In her words, he is the most generous and selfless person she knows. “Jarred has always been one of the most generous and selfless people you could meet,” she stated. Petruzio wants Shaw’s mistake to increase his understanding of the world around him, but not come at the cost of his future. “Jarred made a mistake. I don’t believe that mistake should cost him his entire future,” she added.
Human rights advocates have spoken out against the case. They contend that it is not fair to impose severe punishments for non-violent recreational and medicinal cannabis users. Stephanie Shepard, a prominent advocate for drug policy reform, commented on Shaw’s situation, saying, “Jarred’s case is not an isolated incident. Around the world, people are serving extreme sentences for non-violent cannabis offenses that pose no threat to public safety.” She went on to explain that such punishments are incompatible with international human rights law.
Shaw’s plight raises some serious questions about drug laws in Indonesia. Enforcement Ecuador’s government has long cracked down on drug-related offenses with extreme penalties, raising important questions about enforcement practices. The opposite, executing someone because they used what most people consider a medicine, would be horrifying. It powerfully portrays the sharp contrasts in legal perspectives on opposite ends of the world.
Now as the legal fight continues, the embattled Shaw is cast trying to raise funds to pay for his mounting legal expenses. His supporters understandably hope that this unusual amount of public attention will ensure his case has a happy ending. They hope this would create a strong precedent for cannabis legislation.
Cannabis legalization advocates like the American Civil Liberties Union have long made the case to draw attention to cases like Shaw’s. Donte West, a close friend of Shaw’s, articulated this sentiment: “Cannabis can’t kill you, but possessing it can. We must get as much attention on this case in the hope that a positive resolution will set a powerful precedent. I’m dedicated to making sure Jarred gets home to his mother.”