EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Basketball Star Avoids Death Penalty In Indonesia After Court Rules In THC Gummies Case

OG article by Javier Hasse

December 10, 2025

In an exclusive report, U.S. basketball star Jarred Shaw, a 35-year-old American athlete, avoided the death penalty in Indonesia after a court sentenced him to 26 months in prison for possessing THC gummies sent from Thailand. Arrested in May, Shaw faced initial accusations of trafficking, which could have led to capital punishment under Indonesia's strict narcotics laws. However, the court ruled in his favor on December 9, 2025, rejecting trafficking enhancements and acknowledging his use of THC products to manage Crohn's disease symptoms, a chronic condition he has publicly discussed. Humanitarian advocate Donte West, who shared the verdict with High Times, described the outcome as a major global step forward, noting the court's rare recognition of medical context in narcotics proceedings. Shaw's attorney, Richard Siregar, emphasized that medical verification and examinations were critical, including Shaw's transfer to Abdi Waluyo Hospital, which the U.S. Embassy called extraordinary. The Embassy provided rare humanitarian support, focusing on treatment access, due process, and human rights. Shaw expressed gratitude in a statement, crediting West, his family, the Embassy, and legal team for framing him as a user rather than a distributor. Under Indonesian law, he may qualify for remission credits or medical parole, with his team preparing further evaluations. The case highlights tensions between medical cannabis use and punitive drug policies in Southeast Asia, underscoring risks for foreign nationals unaware of legal differences.