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Why Olivia Newton-John is an icon for medical cannabis advocacy

The star spent years advocating for medical cannabis and cancer research.

Sarah Sinclair
Why Olivia Newton-John is an icon for medical cannabis advocacy

Tributes have been paid to the actress Olivia Newton-John who spent years advocating for access to medical cannabis.

The British-born icon, most famous for her role as Sandy in the musical Grease, passed away on Monday 8 August, following a long battle with breast cancer.

Her husband, John Easterling, announced the news on her Facebook and Instagram page, telling fans the 73-year-old passed “peacefully”, surrounded by friends and family at their home in southern California. 

Newton-John was a passionate advocate for access to medicinal cannabis and spoke openly on several occasions about how she used the plant following her cancer diagnosis. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and later in 2013 and 2017. 

Easterling grew medical cannabis on their ranch in the US, which Newton-John used to “help with her symptoms” describing it as “healing” and a “miracle plant”.

After opening up about her consumption to Good Housekeeping in 2019, she later told an Australian magazine: “Medicinal cannabis is something that should be available to everyone who is going through a chronic illness or pain.” 

Newton-John used her platform to help raise awareness of the potential of medical cannabis and has spent years lobbying governments to approve the use of medicinal cannabis for cancer patients.

She founded the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre and later the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund to support research into plant-based medicines and cancer.

On the launch of the Foundation, Newton-John said: “During the last seven years, cannabis supplements and plant medicine have made a huge difference in my recovery. I’ve been fascinated to learn that there are 100,000 species of plants in the Amazon rainforest alone. And of those 100,000 plants, only three per cent have been studied and used for the healing value. Imagine the possibilities.

“I have lost way too many friends and loved ones to cancer, and it was totally strengthened my resolve to find the answers in the plant kingdom.”

A number of studies are currently ongoing to explore the effects of cannabinoids and other plant extracts on breast cancer.

Following her death, her pioneering work will continue through the Foundation, Easterling wrote in a statement on Facebook: “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer.

“Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund.”

Support from the cannabis community

Many fellow cannabis advocates have paid tribute to the star since the news broke.

Cannabis journalist and editor of Canada Leafly, Ashley Keenan, wrote: “There’s something about a celebrity you looked up to as a kid talking about cannabis as a patient, without judgment. She didn’t just use the plant for fun—not that there’s anything wrong with that—but she found it helpful for her symptoms, and was willing to share her story with the world. 

“She gave me the permission that I hadn’t been able to grant myself; that it was ok to find relief in medicinal cannabis.”

Organisations and campaigners operating in the cannabis space across the globe, have also been sharing their support for her work on Twitter:

UK charity Medcan Support, which helps families of children with epilepsy praised the work she has done to help families affected by cancer.

Dr Brain Walker said Newton-John was “tireless in forging a path to wellness”.

Australian cannabis company Little Green Pharma acknowledged her “resilience and compassion” as one of the “most visible” international cannabis activists.

The I Am Billy campaign, which is fighting for wider access to medical cannabis in the UK, pledged to help continue her work.

Clinical nutritionist and naturopath, Janet Schloss, praised the impact she had on cannabis research.

Australian politician, Fiona Patten, called on those in the state of Victoria to improve access to medicinal cannabis in Newton-John’s memory.

UK cannabis clinic Sapphire Medical also paid tribute and urged followers to support the foundation.

You can donate to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund here

Home » News » Why Olivia Newton-John is an icon for medical cannabis advocacy

Sarah Sinclair

Sarah Sinclair

Sarah Sinclair is an award-winning freelance journalist covering health, drug policy and social affairs. She is one of the few UK reporters specialising in medical cannabis policy and as the former editor of Cannabis Health has covered developments in the European cannabis sector extensively, with a focus on patients and consumers. She continues to report on cannabis-related health and policy for Forbes, Cannabis Health and Business of Cannabis and has written for The i Paper, Byline Times, The Lead, Positive News, Leafie & others. Sarah has an NCTJ accreditation and an MA in Journalism from the University of Sunderland and has completed additional specialist training through the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society in the UK. She has spoken at leading industry events such as Cannabis Europa.