Multifaceted Uses Of Cannabis From Tommy Chong To Olivia Newton-John: 'It's Always Medicine,' Says Writer Sharon Letts

From her childhood years spent on the sunny beaches of Southern California to her noteworthy status in the global cannabis community, well-known writer and producer Sharon Letts has been on a unique journey. "I was fortunate to grow up on the beach in Southern California in the 1970s. Some say I’m an old hippy, but I was 10 in 1969 - missing that era by a decade," Letts reminiscences.

Even in her early years, Letts was intimately acquainted with cannabis, using the plant in her high school days to improve concentration and alleviate menstrual discomfort. "The first time I smoked cannabis was in 1975... That morning was the first time I could focus on my schoolwork in the classroom," she shares, shedding light on her early encounters with the medicinal potentials of cannabis.

Sharon at age 16 in 1975 amidst plants she grew in her mother's rose garden before she had to dig them up.

Life, with its unexpected twists and turns, led Letts from gardening to television production and ultimately, to writing. "Gardening led me to television, when I was asked to produce and host a gardening show for local TV. That led me to producing nationally in Los Angeles... I was brought up to Humboldt to produce a local news show, and became lead features writer for the Times-Standard in Eureka when I presented with breast cancer." These formative experiences contributed to her evolution into an influential voice in the global cannabis community.

However, it was Letts' personal battle with breast cancer that transformed her into a passionate cannabis advocate. "Credit to Pearl Moon of The Bud Sisters of Southern Humboldt for taking the initiative to bring me the cannabis oil that put my cancer into remission and did away with numerous pharmaceuticals I’d been on for more than 10 years at that point," she said.

A Celeb Favorite

Armed with her writing skills and a rich background of working with celebrities, Letts embarked on chronicling individual encounters with cannabis, referring to these experiences as "patient profiles." She fondly recalls her interactions with renowned personalities, like the iconic Tommy Chong and Ricky Hil.

Letts’ meeting with Tommy Chong resulted in a surprising intervention for his family, which was in disagreement about his cancer treatment approach. "When I arrived, the family had been in disagreement on his treatment going forward, and my interview quickly became an intervention." 

The story of Ricky Hil, the young rapper who relied on cannabis to manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder and ADHD, resonates deeply with Letts' own experiences. "When we finally met and chatted on Zoom, I only saw him, this well-spoken and thoughtful young man, who loved the plant, knew it worked for him, but didn’t understand why," she explains.

Sharon and Jim Belushi

Another compelling story is that of Olivia Newton-John and her husband, John Easterling. According to Letts, Easterling's extensive knowledge of cannabis' healing properties helped keep Newton-John's cancer at bay for years.

Unearthing The Healing Power Of Cannabis

Throughout the years, Letts' personal story and advocacy became a testament to the transformative power of cannabis as her passion for the plant grew and ultimately compelled her to spread the word about it. "For me, it seems like everything I’d done led me directly to Humboldt and the knowledge of cannabis and plants as medicine. My gardening, writing, television, newspapers, media work, all built a unique skill set that has allowed me to tell the highly controversial stories of healing in a thoughtful and intelligent way." 

Though her media career began when she was asked to produce and host a local gardening show, it wasn't until her diagnosis of Lobular Carcinoma (breast cancer) in 2012 that she discovered the true healing potential of the plant. Living in Humboldt County, the "cannabis capital of the world," she found solace in cannabis oil. "It successfully put the cancer into remission, while simultaneously doing away with up to 10 prescription medications and supplements.

"When I still had one foot in mainstream media up in Humboldt, and before my cancer experience, I began writing a series of short stories of fiction based on fact," she says. Letts delved deep into Humboldt's cannabis culture, writing about the county's history, local food issues and farmers.

Her vast spectrum of writing encompasses patient profiles, cannabis culture and the medical and recreational uses of cannabis. Despite the broad range, she now firmly states, "It’s always medicine." This conviction stems from the inspiring stories she has encountered, like that of Lawrence Ringo, the "creator" of the high CBD plant known as hemp.

"Forty kids were already being helped in Northern California with epilepsy. In the long run, the blond, blue-eyed Stanley brothers were better spokespeople than Ringo, an old hippie weed farmer in tie-dyed t-shirts. Everything works out the way it's supposed to. I’m the only one to write of Ringo and the Stanley brothers no longer mind."

Her collections "Cannaopolis" and "Humboldt Stories" are derived from accounts shared by people from the community. "All the stories I couldn’t write about while in mainstream media are part of history now, with everything changing." 

Medicate To Recreate

An intriguing concept Letts often advocates is that of "medicate to recreate." Here, cannabis is viewed as a form of self-medication that offers physical and mental benefits. She believes in choosing plants, like cannabis, or mushrooms as a harm reduction strategy so that one "can sit down with the most ardent 24/7 stoner/non-believer of medicine and deduct that anything else they would do instead of cannabis is self-medicating."

Lett's work has illuminated countless success stories, including Rick Simpson, whose cannabis oil recipe saved his life and continues to aid thousands worldwide. "That’s the power of the plant. It’s prevailed in the face of great persecution, and those who share the message of healing have been brave to do so," Letts says.

"The only challenge is the THC that we as species have upped to the non-therapeutic levels we have today. We created the controversy and now we must defend the compound. That said, it takes a high THC oil to put cancer into remission, so it's a conundrum."

'I’m Not A Weed Writer'

Letts says her mission is to debunk decades of misinformation surrounding cannabis and other beneficial plants. "I'm not a weed writer and I don't produce stoner shows."

She notes that most of the medicinal uses are still not commonly known. "I think most people would choose cannabis over alcohol if they understood its benefits. My work is about presenting evidence of the plant's healing power, in the hopes of influencing public perception and policy."

As we look ahead, Letts’ work continues to impact global conversations on cannabis and its potential uses. As an ardent advocate, her vision remains clear: more extensive research, progressive legislation and greater public awareness about the plant's healing capabilities.

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Lead photo by Josh Fogel, edited by Javier Hasse