Hannah Deacon: Tributes to mum who changed cannabis law
Colleagues of a campaigner who fought for her son's epilepsy to be treated with cannabis have described her as an "articulate, inspirational and impassioned advocate" following her death.Hannah Deacon was diagnosed with cancer and announced six weeks ago she would be stepping back from some responsibilities. She died on Tuesday, aged 45.Professor Mike Barnes, who helped Ms Deacon secure the first medical cannabis prescription in the UK in 2018 for her son Alfie, said she had been passionate and dedicated to the cause."Hannah was one of the most capable people I've ever had the privilege to work with," he said.
"She was full of common sense, full of dedication to her family but also dedication to others whose children, particularly, were also suffering from [treatment] resistant epilepsy who would benefit from cannabis."Prof Barnes said about 75,000 people in the UK had been helped by medical cannabis as a result of her work and believed no-one else had achieved so much in so little time.She was responsible for not only changing the law but also for helping establish the infrastructure to ensure it was distributed to pharmacies, he explained, adding that she would wanted anyone who might benefit from medical cannabis to be able to access it through the NHS."It was a remarkable campaign back in 2018 that enabled doctors to prescribe medical cannabis as a benefit to so many people."Prof Barnes said Alfie hadn't experienced a single seizure in more than five years as a result of medical cannabis, when previously he suffered 300-400 a month.He added: "We shouldn't forget the law changed as a result of the children."
'She was a force of nature'
Ms Deacon founded a range of organisations, including the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society to engage doctors and healthcare professionals, Medcan Family Foundation to support other parents and carers, and Maple Tree Consultants where she worked with industry to press for change and improved outcomes.She was also an active member of the Cannabis Industry Council.A joint statement issued by the organisation's co-chairs, Dr Callie Seaman and Jamie Bartley, alongside CEO, Mike Morgan-Giles, described Ms Deacon as "an inspiration and hero"."Hannah was an absolute force of nature, concerned with protecting the life chances of not just her own children but many others in similar situations," they said."It was clear to those of us who knew Hannah that she would stop at nothing to achieve this."
They added that it was "no exaggeration" to say that without her work, medical cannabis would likely not be legal in the UK today."She was an articulate, inspirational and impassioned advocate for change, regularly appearing on the media and meeting politicians to hold their feet to the fire," their statement continued."Hannah always had a funny, mischievous and positive outlook on life and this rubbed off on many of us."She was someone you wanted to be around, who lit up a room and made the world a better place."
'This woman was incredible'
Tonia Antoniazzi, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Medical Cannabis on or under Prescription, said she had worked closely with Ms Deacon."The work she has done has changed the lives of so many young children living with epilepsy," she said."This woman was incredible."Leader of the House of Commons Lucy Powell said she recalled Ms Deacon's campaigning and the times when it was debated in the House of Commons."I can truly say that she has changed the lives of many, she's changed policy and her life will be long-remembered by many, many others," she added.
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