A retired nurse and a former drugs squad police boss will make an emotional plea for politicians to legalise medical cannabis, telling them how they watched in "joyous disbelief" as it gave their terminally ill son renewed strength.
Daniel Haslam, 24, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in March 2010 after doctors found a seven-centimetre tumour in his large intestine.
Following chemotherapy, he relapsed in September 2011 and despite battling bravely ever since, doctors believe the disease will kill him.
Daniel began taking cannabis to "relieve" his symptoms and his retired nurse mum Lucy and father Lou - former head of the drugs squad in northwest NSW - are now asking federal politicians to legalise the controversial drug.
The Haslam family, from Tamworth, northern NSW, has launched a change.org online petition calling for medicinal cannabis to be available for terminally ill patients. It's gained more than 135,000 supporters.
On Thursday, Lucy Haslam will address the Parliamentary Group on Drug Policy and Law Reform in Canberra.
"As parents of three sons, Lou and I have always been opposed to recreational drug use," Ms Haslam will say.
"Yet late last year, in sheer desperation we encouraged Dan to try cannabis and although illegal, we broke the law to obtain it for him.
"We then watched in joyous disbelief when cannabis relieved his symptoms instantly and began to give him back a life."
Ms Haslam says Daniel no longer suffers "incapacitating nausea and vomiting" and is able to maintain weight because he has an appetite.
"This gives him the physical strength to keep fighting," she will tell the committee.
"He has hope that the cannabinoids are tackling his tumours and stopping the spread of his disease. This gives him the mental strength to keep fighting."
The Haslams have become the focal point for a growing campaign for the legalisation of medicinal cannabis in Australia - though many experts say there is still not enough research to justify its use.
In NSW, Nationals MP Kevin Anderson plans to introduce a private members' bill in August that could legalise medicinal cannabis this year.
"I've been encouraged by the support of my parliamentary colleagues," Mr Anderson told AAP on Monday.
"Their support is predicated on the bill being for people with a terminal illness only."
A number of senior NSW MPs have indicated their support for the bill.
There was also support this week as the NSW Nursing and Midwives' Association, which has 59,000 members, announced its support for medicinal cannabis to treat chronic pain.
The Cancer Council also supports its use.
However, many experts including the Australian Medical Association - which acknowledges that cannabis has "therapeutic potential" - want far more research into the drug.
A number of other countries, including parts of the US, allow cannabis to be grown and used for medicinal purposes.
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