Dan Haslan, who is terminally ill, says he will keep using cannabis to relieve his pain. And even his local cop supports him
Dan Haslan has terminal cancer and his family, and the town of Tamworth are battling to decriminalise cannabis for the terminally ill because it keeps the post chemo nausea at bay.
Dan Haslan has terminal cancer and his family, and the town of Tamworth are battling to decriminalise cannabis for the terminally ill because it keeps the post chemo nausea at bay.
EVERY week Dan Haslan breaks the law by smoking marijuana and taking cannabis oil. He not only has the approval of his father, an ex-drug squad detective, but also has the blessings of his town's top cop.
The 24-year-old has terminal cancer, and despite the illegality of cannabis use for medicinal reasons, the entire community, including the police have his back.
"I'll probably get into trouble but why should we, with people with a terminal illness, create a criminal act for accessing things that relive their pain," Tamworth Super Intendent Clint Pheeney said.
"It's not a case of turning a blind eye, we have always had discretion for people in possession of small amounts under the cannabis cautioning scheme."
Diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2010, the fortnightly chemo that keeps Mr Haslan alive used to make him so violently ill he would have to be hospitalised for hydration.
Late last year Mr Haslan's mother Lucy sourced illegally grown cannabis for her son as research shows it quells nausea.
"I haven't been violently ill since I started on it, that alone is enough for me, from spending a night in hospital and losing five kilos every fortnight to not vomiting and being able to eat," Mr Haslan said
Lucy Haslan said the drug's effect is miraculous.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au 10/05/2014
S
Soft Secrets
