Olivia defends cannabis use to treat cancer side effects

Her decision to use cannabis to treat her breast cancer has attracted mixed reactions, and in her latest interview, Olivia Newton-John addresses the critics.

Speaking to Today in the US, the 68-year-old Australian actress and singer opens up about the alternative treatments she's been using, as she battles the cancer for the second time after 25 years of being in remission.

"People have this vision from the ’60s of people just sitting around and getting stoned," she said in the interview, defending her decision to use the drug which is legal in her home state of California.

"It’s not about that. This plant is a healing plant. I think we need to change the vision of what it is because it helped me greatly and it helps with pain and inflammation."

To date, fewer than 150 patients in Australia have access to medical cannabis, while the industry is still navigating the regulations around cultivation licensing.

Also trying to be as optimistic as possible, she said in the same interview: "I don’t read into prognosis and statistics because I think that can really be depressing".

"I will probably deal with this in my life as an ongoing thing. I think you can live with cancer the way you live with other things if you take care of yours."

Earlier this year Olivia announced she would be postponing her North American tour after her breast cancer returned.

In a statement posted to her Facebook account, Olivia told fans she would be back "better than ever" but was "reluctantly" postponing the run of shows when it was found that the cause of her recent "back pain" was diagnosed as breast cancer.

"Olivia Newton-John is reluctantly postponing her June U.S. and Canadian concert tour dates. 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," the statement read.

"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.

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"'I decided on my direction of therapies after consultation with my doctors and natural therapists and the medical team at my Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia,'" Olivia said via the post.

First diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, Olivia has previously opened up about surviving the illness more than two decades ago, saying while it was a difficult time in her life, upon reflection it was a "gift".

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