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TRIBUTES are continuing to flow for Dan Haslam, the Tamworth man who inspired a national revolution on medical marijuana.
Mr Haslam, 25, passed away peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, surrounded by family at his East Tamworth home.
The unlikely medical marijuana crusader was thrust into the public spotlight after turning to the drug for relief during his torrid battle with bowel cancer.
His authenticity and deep conviction touched millions, pushing medical marijuana onto the national agenda and to the brink of legalisation.
His mum Lucy Haslam, herself a tireless advocate for medical cannabis, said her son would leave a legacy of hope for generations.
“He never complained, he didn’t stop fighting right until the end,” she said. “We need to honour his fighting spirit and continue his legacy.
“We will keep fighting for medical cannabis and make it freely available to people who need it.”
She thanked the Tamworth community for its passionate support of the cause, saying the movement was “only at the start of the journey”.
Family friend and journalist Helen Kapalos said Mr Haslam’s philosophical approach to life was never more evident than in his last interview with her, just weeks before his passing.
“He said, ‘Nothing is ever that bad, Helen. Love your family. Love your friends. Tell everyone you love them, often’,” she said.
“I’m heartbroken the world has lost such a beautiful soul, that his family will never be able to hold him again and that his beautiful wife Alyce will never be able to realise the beautiful dreams they had.”
NSW Premier Mike Baird yesterday described Mr Haslam as “an inspiration”.
“He inspired us, he inspired me; I count it a privilege to have known him and I’m obviously terribly sad on his loss,” Mr Baird said.
Mr Haslam became an unwitting poster boy for medical marijuana after using it to deal with the crushing nausea and lack of appetite from chemotherapy.
Astounded by its effects and angry the drug wasn’t legal for the dying, Mr Haslam and his parents embarked on a public crusade to raise awareness and help bring dignity to the dying.
Within 10 months, the family has triggered a national conversation on medical marijuana, with both the NSW and Victorian governments almost certain to legalise it.
At a medical marijuana symposium in Tamworth in November, Mr Haslam said the movement had become an “unstoppable force”.
“It feels like the stress is finally lifting off our shoulders; nothing can stop it now,” he said.
Mr Baird announced in December plans for a clinical trial of medical marijuana for a range of conditions, including end-of-life pain, intractable epilepsy and the chemotherapy-related nausea for which Mr Haslam first sought treatment.
Mr Haslam passed away five years after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. He is survived by wife Alyce, parents Lou and Lucy and siblings Luke and Billy.