An American basketball player, Jarred Shaw, is currently facing the extreme penalty of death or life imprisonment in Indonesia after being arrested for possession of cannabis gummies he claims were for medicinal use. The 35-year-old athlete, who played professionally in Indonesia, was arrested in May 2025. His case has drawn renewed attention in early October 2025, highlighting the starkly different legal landscapes surrounding cannabis globally.
The Case of Jarred Shaw
Jarred Shaw, a 35-year-old Texan who had established a career playing for teams such as Prawira Bandung and Tangerang Hawks in the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL), was apprehended by Indonesian law enforcement in May 2025. The arrest occurred as Shaw collected a package containing approximately 132 cannabis gummies, weighing about 869 grams, which he had ordered from Thailand. Shaw maintains that the gummies were intended for his personal medical use to manage symptoms of Crohn’s disease, an incurable inflammatory condition. Despite his claims, Indonesian authorities charged him with possession of illegal narcotics, a crime that carries severe penalties.
Indonesia’s Zero-Tolerance Drug Laws
Indonesia enforces some of the world’s strictest drug laws, with a zero-tolerance policy that applies equally to recreational and medical cannabis, making no distinction between the two. Convicted drug traffickers and possessors can face capital punishment, typically execution by firing squad, or lengthy prison sentences. In 2016, Indonesia executed an Indonesian national and three foreigners for drug offenses, and as of October 2025, hundreds of individuals, including many foreign nationals, remain on death row for drug-related crimes. Shaw’s situation underscores the immense risk faced by foreigners caught in the country’s punitive legal system.
Legal Proceedings and Current Status
Following his arrest, Shaw was paraded at a police press conference and was subsequently banned for life from the Indonesian Basketball League. He has been held in pre-trial detention outside Jakarta since his arrest in May and, as of early October 2025, had yet to face trial, with his first court date still pending. The U.S. State Department has acknowledged being aware of a U.S. citizen detained in Indonesia but has declined to comment further due to privacy considerations. Shaw’s legal team and supporters are actively fundraising to cover his mounting legal fees.
Global Cannabis News and Contrasting Policies
Shaw’s precarious situation stands in stark contrast to the evolving landscape of cannabis laws and news emerging from other parts of the world, including developments in places like Oregon. While Indonesia maintains its severe stance, numerous other regions are actively debating and implementing more lenient cannabis policies. The news cycle of early October 2025, for instance, has been filled with diverse cannabis-related stories, from legislative efforts in US states like Ohio and Texas to discussions about medical cannabis cultivation in Kentucky and New York, and scientific discoveries regarding new cannabis compounds. These varied developments, particularly in jurisdictions like Oregon which continually updates its cannabis regulations, illustrate the vast global disparity in approaches to cannabis, from strict prohibition to regulated markets and medical access.
An Uncertain Future
Jarred Shaw’s case is a stark reminder of the severe consequences that can arise from drug possession in countries with stringent laws. As he awaits his trial in Indonesia, his future remains uncertain, with the possibility of the ultimate penalty hanging over him, while the global conversation around cannabis continues to shift dramatically.
