Pubdate: Sun, 03 Sep 2017 Source: Kansas City Star (MO) Copyright: 2017 The Kansas City Star Contact: http://www.kansascity.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/221 Author: Adam Darby And Lisa Gutierrez OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN CANNABIS TREATMENT: SHE USES MARIJUANA IN CANCER FIGHT Singer Olivia Newton-John has used medicinal marijuana during her battle with breast cancer and plans to promote the drug this week to raise money for her wellness and research center. "I will do what I can to encourage it. It's an important part of treatment, and it should be available," Newton-John, who announced a second battle with breast cancer in May, told News Corp. Australia. "I use medicinal cannabis, which is really important for pain and healing," she said. "It's a plant that has been maligned for so long, and has so many abilities to heal." The Grammy award winner was first diagnosed with cancer in 1992. In May this year, she announced her cancer had returned and metastasized to her lower back. She postponed her tour. The Australian native says she uses the drug along with other remedies legally in her home state of California. Newton-John's daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, grows cannabis on a farm in Oregon, according to the International Business Times. She chose her treatment therapies after consulting with physicians, natural therapists and the medical team at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia," the singer said. Newton-John has championed cancer causes since she survived breast cancer the first time, when she had a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy and breast reconstruction. She launched the research center in Australia in 2012. She told Fox News that putting her name on the building was "daunting," but she was encouraged by her mother. "My mom said, 'Well, if you're going to help people, then you should do it,'" she told Fox. "That was really the answer. A very simple and straightforward one." - --- MAP posted-by: Matt