A four-day, 123km charity trek alongside Western Australia’s famed Cape to Cape Observe is ready to unite the neighborhood in elevating funds and consciousness for medicinal hashish analysis. The occasion – dubbed Cape to Cape for Hashish – is hosted by the non-profit Medical Hashish Analysis Australia (MCRA) and can see contributors hike from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin via the Margaret River area whereas supporting efforts to advance medicinal hashish analysis, training, and affected person entry [1]. Organisers have scheduled the stroll for April 17–20, 2026, giving locals and supporters nationwide time to get entangled[2]. All proceeds will go towards MCRA’s mission of funding analysis, educating docs and sufferers, and enhancing entry to this medication for Australians in want[1].
A view of Cape Freycinet and Contos Seaside alongside the Cape to Cape Observe, a part of the 123 km coastal route walkers will traverse. The Cape to Cape Observe itself stretches 123 km between the lighthouses of Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin, winding via coastal headlands, sheltered forests and pristine seashores of WA’s South West Capes – Margaret River area[3]. Over 4 days, walkers will expertise this breathtaking surroundings by day and are available collectively every night for particular gatherings. Along with the day by day hikes, the itinerary options nightly neighborhood dinners and networking occasions, plus an academic session for well being professionals and the broader {industry} – all designed to break down stigma and advance entry to medicinal hashish in Australia[4]. By combining an outside journey with boards on affected person care and innovation, the occasion goals to be greater than a fundraiser and as an alternative a catalyst for dialog and alter.
Organisers describe the charity stroll as a groundbreaking method to “unite the medicinal hashish {industry}” and neighborhood. “That is greater than a fundraiser – it’s a motion,” MCRA co-founder Sharlene Mavor mentioned of the initiative, emphasising that collectively the contributors can “advance medicinal hashish analysis, join as an {industry} and create actual change for sufferers”[5]. The Cape to Cape for Hashish trek is an industry-first occasion for Australia’s medicinal hashish sector[6], however it’s equally about grassroots assist: everybody from healthcare professionals and sufferers to native residents are invited to participate or help. Early planning has already attracted curiosity from throughout the nation, reflecting a shared dedication to enhancing affected person outcomes and pushing for progress in hashish science.
Native Companies Rally Behind the Stroll
The Margaret River neighborhood is wholeheartedly backing the upcoming stroll, with native companies and volunteers becoming a member of the trigger. Corporations within the area have pledged assist by donating time, companies and experience to make sure the occasion’s success. Notably, Margaret River Hemp Co – a beloved native hemp merchandise retailer – is volunteering employees and sources to assist alongside the route, reflecting the corporate’s community-forward values of sustainability and wellness. “Being a part of this occasion is our approach of giving again and supporting one thing we consider in,” a Hemp Co workforce member mentioned, noting that hemp and medicinal hashish advocates share a standard aim of serving to others discover pure reduction.
Different hometown enterprises are additionally stepping up. The occasion’s base camp can be at Margarets Seaside Resort, which has provided discounted lodging for contributors as a present of assist[7]. Native cafes and wineries wish to contribute refreshments, and neighborhood teams have inquired about staffing checkpoints and offering logistical assist. This outpouring of assist from Margaret River locals – from small enterprise house owners to well being employees and retirees – underscores the area’s robust spirit of camaraderie. Organisers say volunteers can be available to information hikers, present first help, and share data in regards to the monitor and its landmarks. The collaborative effort ensures that the walkers really feel welcomed and inspired by the neighborhood at each step.
Importantly, the charity stroll aligns with values deeply ingrained within the Margaret River space: caring for others, connecting with nature, and advocating for sustainable wellness options. Many residents are already conversant in the advantages of hemp and hashish via native initiatives, so rallying behind a medicinal hashish fundraiser got here naturally. “Margaret River is a particular neighborhood – when there’s an opportunity to assist individuals’s well being and have a good time our stunning yard on the identical time, everybody pitches in,” mentioned one occasion supporter. With hikers set to traverse seashores, forests and farmland, locals take satisfaction in sharing their house’s pure treasures for a superb trigger. The stroll is poised to not solely elevate cash but additionally strengthen neighborhood bonds, as neighbours be a part of forces to help sufferers in want.
A Motion Impressed by Dan Haslam’s Legacy
On the coronary heart of this initiative is the story and mission of Medicinal Hashish Analysis Australia, which was based in 2016 by veteran advocate Lucy Haslam after the lack of her son Dan Haslam to most cancers. Dan’s battle with terminal sickness — and the reduction he present in utilizing hashish to ease his chemotherapy signs — impressed Australia’s fashionable medical hashish motion[8]. The Haslam household’s public marketing campaign for compassionate entry captured nationwide consideration and helped drive the legalisation of medicinal hashish in 2016. Lucy channeled her grief into motion by establishing MCRA (alongside fellow advocates) to make sure ongoing assist for sufferers and analysis. “Dan grew to become the champion of the trigger for thus many individuals who felt they didn’t have a voice,” Lucy has mentioned of her son’s legacy[9]. Right this moment, that legacy lives on via MCRA’s work and occasions just like the Cape to Cape stroll, which carry ahead the Haslams’ imaginative and prescient that no affected person ought to undergo needlessly when reduction is out there.
MCRA’s objectives are firmly rooted in compassion and science. The Perth-based charity focuses on funding medical analysis into hashish, educating docs and the general public about evidence-based use, and advocating for higher affected person entry throughout Australia[1]. By internet hosting the Cape to Cape charity stroll, MCRA goals to not solely elevate very important funds for analysis trials and education schemes, but additionally to spark conversations in the neighborhood in regards to the therapeutic potential of hashish. “We’re strolling to drive change,” co-founder Sharlene Mavor defined, highlighting that bringing individuals collectively on the path may help break down lingering stigma. Sufferers’ rights, scientific analysis, and coverage reform can be within the highlight all through the occasion – in conversations between hikers, within the night panel discussions, and in media protection it generates. This multi-pronged strategy echoes MCRA’s broader technique: mix grassroots assist with {industry} and healthcare engagement to create actual change within the medicinal hashish panorama.
As pleasure builds for the Cape to Cape trek, the organisers and supporters share a heat optimism. They hope the occasion will encourage others nicely past the Margaret River area. Group members are inspired to get entangled – whether or not by registering to stroll a bit of the monitor, volunteering, sponsoring a participant, or just cheering on the hikers when the journey begins. Each step taken on the Cape to Cape Observe will symbolize a step ahead for sufferers awaiting higher entry to hashish therapies. With a passionate neighborhood behind it, this charity stroll is poised to show miles into tangible progress. Organisers invite everybody to unfold the phrase or be a part of the motion in no matter approach they’ll, proving as soon as once more that when a neighborhood walks collectively for a trigger, it may transfer mountains – or a minimum of traverse from cape to cape – to make a distinction.Sources: The occasion announcement and particulars had been reported by Cannabiz[10][11], a hashish {industry} information outlet. Background on MCRA’s mission and the Haslam household’s story is drawn from public statements and reviews[1][8][9]. The Cape to Cape Observe’s significance to the Margaret River area is documented by Trails WA and native guides[3].
Cape to Cape Observe – Wikipedia
UIC- Medicinal Hashish Symposium
Medicinal hashish campaigner Dan Haslam dies after battle with most cancers – ABC Information
