The 49-year-old, who lived in the Tuscan town of Olmo, was a symbol of the fight to legalise marijuana for medical purposes.
A few years prior, De Benedetto began to cultivate marijuana plants for medical purposes, when it became clear that his health care providers could not supply him with the necessary amount to cope with his intense pain levels during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Though medical marijuana has been legal in Italy for 15 years, there are limits imposed on the number of plants an individual may cultivate.
De Benedetto was arrested and faced court, accused of exceeding the legal limits for growing marijuana.
The prison sentence for such an offence is six years in prison.
In March 2021, De Benedetto wrote to the Italian Parliament, stating: “We feel discouraged because it seems that our government prefers to let six million consumers make deals with members of organised crime factions, rather than allowing us to grow our own plants at home.”
In April 2021, De Benedetto was acquitted, with the court ruling that it was fine to exceed the legal limit of cannabis cultivation because it was for his own personal medical use.
The coordinator of the Meglio Legale campaign for legalised cannabis, Antonella Sodo, mourned De Benedetto’s passing.
“Unfortunately, Walter left us overnight,” Sodo said.
“With his courage, he managed to bring the issue of medical cannabis, and all the difficulties that patients who use it face, to the attention of public opinion.
“He was forced to do one thing no patient should do: make his pain public.
“As a true gentle leader he has made his suffering a battle of and for many.
“We will continue his and our fight with greater strength and determination, as he taught us.”