The young man behind the push to have medical cannabis legalised, Dan Haslam, has died surrounded by his family in the New South Wales town of Tamworth. He was 25.
Dan's mother Lucy told ABC local radio he died yesterday surrounded by friends and family. She celebrated Dan's life and his efforts to bring the issue of medical cannabis to national attention.
"He just became the champion of the cause for so many people that didn't feel they could use their own voice to come out in support for medical cannabis," she said.
"He was just someone seeking medicine, nothing more nothing less."
Dan went public with his battle with bowel cancer last year and became the face of a national campaign to legalise medical cannabis for the terminally ill.
The "Dan's Story" campaign received national attention and led to the New South Wales Government decriminalising small amounts of medical cannabis for cancer patients and a full medical trial.
New South Wales Premier Mike Baird expressed deep sadness about the loss of Dan.
Greens politicians paid tribute to his brave stand in legalising medical cannabis.
Dan Haslam's short life much more than passed \test of making world a better place. Thoughts with Lucy, Lou, Alyce @abcnewengland
Deeply saddened by the passing of Dan Haslam. My thoughts are with his remarkable family who took a brave public stand on medicinal cannabis
And there was universal praise for Dan stepping forward.
RT @JustinSmith954: Some people get a chance to change the world, but they never take it. Dan Haslam took it. Rest in peace. #danhaslam
RIP Dan.
"We need to honour his fighting spirit." Mum Lucy Haslam on the death of her son Dan to cancer http://t.co/pRGAc2hYrr