Texan jailed in Indonesia over cannabis gummies

Jarred Shaw, a 35-year-old American who played for the Prawira Bandung basketball team, was arrested in May 2025 in Indonesia. He had ordered 132 cannabis gummies to alleviate symptoms of his Crohn's disease, a decision he now calls a grave mistake. Despite cannabis being legal for medical use in places like Thailand where he previously lived, Indonesia enforces extremely strict drug laws.

Shaw was found guilty of drug possession and sentenced to 26 months in jail, including time served, along with a $50,000 fine. While he avoided the death penalty, his current circumstances in prison west of Jakarta are deteriorating his health. The prison's unhealthy food exacerbates his Crohn's, leading to sharp pain, nausea, anemia, and an E. coli infection. He has lost 35 pounds since his arrest.

His legal team is petitioning for a compassionate release, highlighting his medical condition and lack of prior criminal record. Shaw, who previously scored 1,000 points in the Indonesian Basketball League, is also writing a book about his experience and trying to stay positive while awaiting medical assessment and potential hospital admission.