Thirty Hunter residents will be the first Australians to take part in clinical trials on the effects of cannabis for terminally ill patients.

And Dan’s mother, Lucy Haslam, yesterday said the clinical trials were based on what Dan experienced while battling terminal cancer and using cannabis for medicinal purposes.

The Tamworth man, aged 25, died after a long battle with cancer in February this year, but not before helping drive a nation-wide emotional and community campaign fighting for the legalisation of medical marijuana. 

Mrs Haslam said the trials would explore issues regarding loss of appetite, nausea and pain relief, which Dan had found the cannabis assisted with.

Premier Mike Baird announced yesterday the Calvary Mater Hospital would enrol the patients who would be monitored to determine how effective inhaling cannabis smoke was for pain and symptom relief, what side effects emerge and what doses were ideal.

The $9 million program will begin early next year with initial results expected by the end of 2016. The results will then be reviewed with the possibility of an expanded clinical trial across the state.

Mr Baird said the trial will play a critical role in understanding what role medical cannabis can play in alleviating symptoms and pain in terminally ill patients.

“We do not want patients or carers having to play pharmacist, ‘’ Mr Baird said.

“That is why it is so important to explore the safest and most effective ways we can deliver compassionate care and improve the quality of life. 

The Newcastle trial will be conducted by a research team led by University of New South Wales’ researcher Associate Professor Meera Agar. Associate Professor Agar said the trial would evaluate two types of cannabis products – vaporised leaf cannabis and a pharmaceutical.

“It will be undertaken in two parts and will assess the potential ability of cannabis to alleviate distressing symptoms including fatigue, low appetite, altered taste and smell for food, low mood, weight loss, nausea, insomnia and pain relief,” Prof Agar said.

“This will add to the existing body of evidence based research to help better understand and evaluate the potential benefits that medical cannabis products may have for terminally ill patients.”

For more information, visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/cannabis or email cannabistrial@doh.health.nsw.gov.au