The family of cancer sufferer Dan Haslam says the best way to honour his memory is to continue the push for the legalisation of medicinal cannabis.
The 25-year-old, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2010, died in East Tamworth on Tuesday surrounded by family.
He was the man who helped change NSW Premier Mike Baird's attitude towards legalising medicinal cannabis.
After meeting him, Mr Baird announced a multi-million dollar trial for medicinal cannabis, with the potential to treat terminally ill adults, chemotherapy patients and children with severe epilepsy.
The Haslam family, including Dan's wife Alyce and his parents Lou and Lucy, said there were not enough words to describe him.
"Our amazing Dan has set the path for a journey we intend to finish. We need to honour his fighting spirit and continue his legacy," the family said in a statement.
"We will keep fighting for medical cannabis to make it freely available to people who need it."
The family also thanked Mr Haslam's many supporters: "The best way you can honour Dan's memory is to continue pushing for change."
Mr Haslam began taking cannabis to relieve his symptoms and Ms Haslam, a retired nurse, and his father Lou started asking politicians to legalise the controversial drug.
Mr Baird said he would never forget the look in Mr Haslam's eyes the first time he met him.
"Dan made a lasting impression on everyone he met, but, more than that, he left a legacy in NSW that will be felt across the nation, and I believe the world," he said.
"Every step we take on medical cannabis will be built on the footsteps he left behind."
On top of the trial, the NSW government announced last September guidelines that gave police discretion not to charge terminally ill cannabis users and carers who help them break drug laws.
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