Country music megastar Keith Urban and pop diva Kylie Minogue are among those on the “hit list” for the United in Compassion campaign, which was announced yesterday.

It comes amid renewed hope the state government will decriminalise marijuana for the terminally ill, with Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson expected to lodge a private member’s bill on this issue this week.

The successful push to legalise medical marijuana in some US states saw a string of celebrities publically support the cause.

Tamworth mum Lucy Haslam, who has been a staunch advocate for medical marijuana after seeing how it helped her terminally ill son Dan, said bringing “star power” to the campaign was an important step.

“It will make it even more credible and sometimes it’s enough to sway those who don’t have a strong opinion on the issue,” Mrs Haslam said.

“I want to focus on getting some high-profile country music singers.

“A lot of this whole push started in Tamworth and we have a great affiliation with country music.”

A Facebook page and website - www.unitedincompassion.com –  has already been established.

Four times Golden Guitar winner and Tamworth-based musician Lawrie Minson said he was one of many in the industry that supported medical marijuana.

“We’ve been following the story and it has been quite fascinating,” Mr Minson said.

“I one hundred per cent support the move and when you look back through history, it is another example of the power of a public movement.

“All the great changes in our society have happened that way and while it can happen slowly, it happens if people really believe in it.”