Tributes are flooding in for medical marijuana champion Dan Haslam, who lost his battle with bowel cancer this week.

The 25-year-old, who died on February 24 in his home town of Tamworth, and his family waged a public campaign to legalise medical cannabis.

As a result, three trials into the use of medical cannabis for patients suffering from a range of debilitating or terminal illnesses are now underway in New South Wales.

Police have also been instructed to use their discretion to not prosecute terminally ill adults using cannabis.

Just weeks ago, Dan was granted the second licence to use medical marijuana under the Terminal Illness Cannabis Scheme.

His family also received licences, protecting them against any repercussions for carrying cannabis for Dan.

Dan’s mum, retired nurse Lucy Haslam, thanked people for their support, in a post on the Dan’s Story Facebook page.

“It makes me so proud to be the mum of such an incredible human-being,” she wrote.

“He fought so hard for so long. It was distressing to see him suffering through those final weeks and it is comforting to know that his suffering is over but it comes at such an enormous cost…we will miss him forever!”

In a statement, New South Wales Premier Mike Baird said he was struck by Dan’s conviction and bravery from the moment he met him.


“His determination, not just to beat his disease, but also to make a difference for others, is an inspiration to all, and certainly was to me,” he said.

“I will never forget the look in his eyes the first time I met him and it will stay with me forever.

“Dan made a lasting impression on everyone he met but, more than that, he left a legacy in NSW that will be felt across the nation, and I believe the world.

“Every step we take on medical cannabis will be built on the footsteps he left behind.”


Dan is survived by his wife Alyce, parents Lucy and Lou, and brothers Billy and Luke.

Lucy, a former community nurse, was instrumental in Dan’s campaign to decriminalise medical cannabis.

“Cannabis has really become our last hope,” she said last year.

“I think people need to see it as another medicine instead of this big taboo.

“It should just be treated like any other prescribed, restricted substance. It can remain illegal for general use but be legal for prescribed restricted situations.”

Cannabis helped Dan largely overcome nausea, vomiting and poor appetite around his chemotherapy treatments while he was also using cannabis oil in a final bid to halt the terminal disease.

The Haslam family has launched an online petition, which has received more than 202,000 signatures.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) Council has supported the Haslam family’s fight.

“Our members recognise the importance of exploring improved options for effective pain management, particularly for those patients who suffer from constant chronic pain,” NSWNMA general secretary Brett Holmes said in a statement at the time.

Medical cannabis is legal and regulated in the United States, Canada and several European countries where it’s used to alleviate symptoms for Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Crohn’s Disease, and other chronic pain and post traumatic stress disorders.