Tributes have been paid to the actress Olivia Newton-John who spent years advocating for entry to medical hashish.
The British-born icon, most well-known for her position as Sandy within the musical Grease, handed away on Monday 8 August, following a protracted battle with breast most cancers.
Her husband, John Easterling, introduced the information on her Fb and Instagram web page, telling followers the 73-year-old handed “peacefully”, surrounded by family and friends at their house in southern California.
Newton-John was a passionate advocate for entry to medicinal hashish and spoke overtly on a number of events about how she used the plant following her most cancers prognosis. She was first identified with breast most cancers in 1992 and later in 2013 and 2017.
Easterling grew medical hashish on their ranch within the US, which Newton-John used to “assist along with her signs” describing it as “therapeutic” and a “miracle plant”.
After opening up about her consumption to Good Housekeeping in 2019, she later advised an Australian journal: “Medicinal hashish is one thing that must be out there to everybody who’s going by a persistent sickness or ache.”
Newton-John used her platform to assist elevate consciousness of the potential of medical hashish and has spent years lobbying governments to approve the usage of medicinal hashish for most cancers sufferers.
She based the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre and later the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund to help analysis into plant-based medicines and most cancers.
On the launch of the Basis, Newton-John stated: “Over the past seven years, hashish dietary supplements and plant medication have made an enormous distinction in my restoration. I’ve been fascinated to study that there are 100,000 species of vegetation within the Amazon rainforest alone. And of these 100,000 vegetation, solely three per cent have been studied and used for the therapeutic worth. Think about the chances.
“I’ve misplaced manner too many pals and family members to most cancers, and it was completely strengthened my resolve to seek out the solutions within the plant kingdom.”
Quite a few research are presently ongoing to discover the consequences of cannabinoids and different plant extracts on breast most cancers.
Following her loss of life, her pioneering work will proceed by the Basis, Easterling wrote in an announcement on Facebook: “Olivia has been a logo of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast most cancers.
“Her therapeutic inspiration and pioneering expertise with plant medication continues with the Olivia Newton-John Basis Fund, devoted to researching plant medication and most cancers. In lieu of flowers, the household asks that any donations be made in her reminiscence to the Olivia Newton-John Basis Fund.”
Assist from the hashish neighborhood
Many fellow hashish advocates have paid tribute to the star because the information broke.
Hashish journalist and editor of Canada Leafly, Ashley Keenan, wrote: “There’s one thing a couple of movie star you seemed as much as as a child speaking about hashish as a affected person, with out judgment. She didn’t simply use the plant for enjoyable—not that there’s something flawed with that—however she discovered it useful for her signs, and was prepared to share her story with the world.
“She gave me the permission that I hadn’t been capable of grant myself; that it was okay to seek out aid in medicinal hashish.”
Organisations and campaigners working within the hashish house throughout the globe, have additionally been sharing their help for her work on Twitter:
Such unhappy information about Olivia Newton John’s passing, her advocacy and analysis into hashish and most cancers could have helped many households and can proceed by her legacy within the organising of the @onjfoundation. https://t.co/1GxiBzpky0
— MedCan Assist (@MEDCANSupport) August 9, 2022
UK charity Medcan Assist, which helps households of youngsters with epilepsy praised the work she has carried out to assist households affected by most cancers.
Devastated to listen to of the passing of Olivia Newton-John, an icon of our age and a shining star from my youthful days to the current. She was tireless in forging a path to Wellness, together with the usage of a secure and pure therapeutic herb – hashish. Could her reminiscence be a blessing. 💚 pic.twitter.com/L1r8A02wN1
— Dr Brian Walker MLC (@BrianWalkerMLC) August 9, 2022
Dr Mind Walker stated Newton-John was “tireless in forging a path to wellness”.
Not solely a music icon and acclaimed movie star, for a lot of she was a beacon of resilience and compassion. Olivia Newton-John was one of the crucial seen activists for medical hashish on the worldwide stage. Our ideas go to her household. #restinpeaceolivia #ValeONJ https://t.co/HutoAJm8dL
— Little Inexperienced Pharma (@LittleGreenPHAR) August 9, 2022
Australian hashish firm Little Inexperienced Pharma acknowledged her “resilience and compassion” as one of many “most seen” worldwide hashish activists.
As we speak we misplaced one among most influential advocates for #medicalcannabis Fly excessive lovely woman. Your work continues 💜#OliviaNewtonJohn pic.twitter.com/QpbGMm7Jko
— I’m Billy (@iambillyuk) August 9, 2022
The I Am Billy marketing campaign, which is preventing for wider entry to medical hashish within the UK, pledged to assist proceed her work.
Considered one of Australia’s icons has handed away peacefully final evening. Not solely did Olivia Newton John have main affect on the music world but additionally within the most cancers analysis world and hashish analysis. A tremendous soul who graced us along with her presence. Thanks and Relaxation In Peace 🙏💖 pic.twitter.com/wQsKXfDj3S
— Janet schloss (@schloss_janet) August 8, 2022
Medical nutritionist and naturopath, Janet Schloss, praised the affect she had on hashish analysis.
Vale Olivia Newton John. I grew up along with her music, as so many people did. Now we have actually misplaced an icon.
One thing we might do in her reminiscence in Victoria is to enhance entry to medicinal hashish, one thing she fought tirelessly for. pic.twitter.com/zcd1hgLd54
— Fiona Patten MP (@FionaPattenMLC) August 8, 2022
Australian politician, Fiona Patten, known as on these within the state of Victoria to enhance entry to medicinal hashish in Newton-John’s reminiscence.
We’re saddened to listen to of the loss of life of @olivianj this night
Not solely was Olivia an incredible artist but additionally a faithful advocate of medical hashish.
Her work continues by her fabulous charity @onjfoundation which you’ll be able to donate to right here:https://t.co/cBTtvNgrqv
— Sapphire Medical Clinics (@SapphireClinics) August 8, 2022
UK hashish clinic Sapphire Medical additionally paid tribute and urged followers to help the muse.
You may donate to the Olivia Newton-John Basis Fund here