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Olivia Newton-John: How Cannabis Is Helping Her Win Over Cancer

By Sixty and Me January 03, 2020 News

It was the summer of 1978.  John Travolta was 24 and Olivia Newton-John was nearly 30. But when, as Grease’s Rydell High seniors Danny and Sandy, they burned up movie screens with their It’s You That I Want dance number, their ages didn’t count. They had all the moves and that was all that mattered.

When Grease hit the theatersthat year, the oldest Baby Boomers among us were just 34. Yet we couldn’t resist the change to turn back the clock to the 1950s. And 40 years later, many of us still can’t.

So it was only natural Boomers from around the U.S. took a break this past week to reunite with John, now 65, and Olivia, 71, at three Meet n’ Grease singalong evenings across Florida.

But when Olivia showed up looking radiant in same the butter-yellow cardigan and flowing skirt Sandy wore on her first day at Rydell High? Some in the crowds might have been surprised to learn that…

For the Third Time, Olivia Newton-John Is Winning Over Cancer

Her first victory over breast cancer came in 1995. But eight years later, the disease resurfaced in her shoulder.  Most recently, it metastasized to her lower spine. The 2017 diagnosis came after a pelvic fracture forced her to abandon plans for a North American tour.

After consulting with her doctors and natural therapists, Olivia underwent photon radiation treatment at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in her home town of Melbourne.

But radiation was only the first step.

Olivia’s Husband-and-Healer, “Amazon” John Easterling

Olivia continues to rely on her oncologists for conventional treatment. As a believer in integrative medicine, however, she’s also turned to natural remedies:  lots of positive self-talk, some dietary changes and – for pain relief – medical cannabis, or marijuana.

As an expert in the field of botanical healing, Olivia’s husband John Easterling persuaded her to begin the cannabis. After 22 years of researching and commercializing Amazon rain-forest plants as health remedies, he turned his attention to medical cannabis in 2012.

During an interview at her Santa Barbara home with CBS Sunday Morning’s Gayle King, Olivia revealed that the cannabis oil she uses comes from plants John grows. It was the oil that weaned her off the morphine she had been using for her cancer-related back pain.

 “I really believe the cannabis has made a huge difference. If I don’t take the drops, I can feel the pain, so I know it’s working. I’m incredibly pro-cannabis,” she told 60 Minutes Australia a few months ago.

Her New Mission: Spreading the Medical Cannabis Word 

In fact, Olivia has become increasingly vocal about her support for medical cannabis. When accompanying John to Cannabis Science Convention West 2019, she proclaimed:

 “I weaned myself off of morphine with cannabis, which I want everyone to know… There’s no reason people should be dying or going through terrible withdrawals when this is possible.

I just want to … take the voodoo off it and educate people into the real healing value of cannabis, rather than this Cheech and Chong image that a lot of people have. That it can be taken seriously and that it’s safe.”

In that setting, Olivia was definitely preaching to the choir. But she also gave the impression that, for as long as she’s able, she’ll share her good opinion of medical cannabis with anyone who’ll listen!

Would you use medical cannabis if your doctor prescribed it? On what would you base your decision? If you’ve already used it, how well did it manage your pain? Please share your thoughts in our conversation!   

Disclaimer: None of the information in this article is intended to be medical advice. Please consult with a doctor before making any changes to your diet.

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The Author

Sixty and Me is a community of over 500,000 women over 60 founded by Margaret Manning. Our editorial team publishes articles on lifestyle topics including fashion, dating, retirement and money.

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