Actress and pop music star Olivia Newton-John has revealed that she is using medicinal cannabis to help her fight her third battle against cancer. In December, Newton-John, who is most famous for her role as Sandy in 1978’s Grease, revealed that the breast cancer that she first fought in 1992 had returned and spread to the base of her spine. She also battled a return of the disease in 2013.

In an interview this week on the Australian television news program Sunday Night, Newton-John, 69, said that she is using cannabis, which she called a “magical, miracle plant,” as part of her treatment.

Homegrown Medicine Effective For Pain

Newton-John’s husband, John Easterling, is an herbalist and founder of the Amazon Herb Company. He grows cannabis on their ranch in California, where personal cultivation for medicinal and recreational purposes is legal.

“My husband’s a plant medicine man so he grew cannabis and made tinctures for me for pain and inflammation,” said Newton-John.

She explained that the pain can be difficult to manage and sometimes causes mobility issues.

“The pain was the hardest thing,” said Newton-John. “I can walk, but I can’t go long distances.”

She added that she prefers natural cannabis to treat pain and inflammation over other options.

“It helped me a lot with pain because I don’t like taking prescription drugs,” she said.

‘Kind and Compassionate’ Medicine

Newton-John said that she appreciates living in a state that has legalized medical marijuana.

“In California, it’s legal to grow a certain amount of plants for your own medicinal purposes,” she said. “I’m very lucky that I live in a state where it’s legal and that I have a husband who is a plant-medicine man.”

Newton-John also said that she believes that everyone should have access to cannabis for medical purposes.

“It’s kind and compassionate,” she explained. “It’s what should be available for everybody to use.”

Cancer Returned Last Year

Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and underwent a partial mastectomy and chemotherapy to treat the disease. In 2013 cancer returned and spread to her shoulder, causing some tour dates to be postponed while she was treated.

In 2017 Newton-John again postponed performances for an international tour, citing back pain. In May of that year, a message on her Facebook page revealed the cause and announced that additional tour dates would have to be rescheduled.

“Olivia Newton-John is reluctantly postponing her June U.S. and Canadian concert tour dates,” the message said. “The back pain that initially caused her to postpone the first half of her concert tour, has turned out to be breast cancer that has metastasized to the sacrum. In addition to natural wellness therapies, Olivia will complete a short course of photon radiation therapy and is confident she will be back later in the year, better than ever, to celebrate her shows.”

Despite the diagnosis, Newton-John said that she has a positive outlook for the future and that the support she receives from her fans helps keep her spirits high.

“My husband’s always there,” she said. “He’s always there to support me, and I believe I will win over it and that’s my goal.”