There are certain films in the canon that deserve a place amongst the stars. These movies simultaneously humor us, heart break us and teach us all at once. In the world of drug culture, it’s hard to find examples of cinema that doesn’t simplify and demonize the use of recreational substances. But when Trainspotting, written by the incredible Irvin Welsh and directed by the equally wonderful Danny Boyle, was released in 1996, people knew that they had a nuanced and well-thought out film about heroin addiction on their hands.
Trainspotting forced its way into many viewer’s ‘best films of all time’ list and rightfully so. But why did it hit so differently? Why did a movie about a group of Scottish friends dealing with drug and life issues become such a cult classic? Perhaps it simply told the truth.
Trainspotting
Trainspotting is a cultural phenomenon that has had a lasting impact on popular culture and public discourse. Originally a novel by Scottish writer Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting was later adapted into a critically acclaimed film directed by Danny Boyle. Set in Edinburgh, Scotland in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Trainspotting follows a group of heroin addicts as they navigate the trials and tribulations of their drug-fueled lives. The film was a major commercial and critical success, earning awards and accolades for its unflinching portrayal of drug use and addiction.
It also has an 8.1 IMDB rating and 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. But beyond its entertainment value, Trainspotting was also notable for shining a light on the heroin problem in Scotland, a problem that was particularly acute in the period in which the film was set. We’re going to take a look into Trainspotting’s role in bringing the issue of heroin abuse to the forefront of public discourse, and its lasting impact on society’s perception of drug addiction. Although, let’s be honest, does a film have the power to change the world?
Heroin in Scotland
Scotland – one of the four nations that make up the United Kingdom – has a very specific identity and character. If you watch Trainspotting, you’ll see that clearly. In the 1990s, Scotland was facing a growing heroin epidemic that was having a devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities across the country. With heroin use on the rise, and a growing number of people struggling with addiction, the Scottish government was grappling with how to respond to the crisis. CNN writes:
In the early 1980s there was a “wave of Afghan and Iranian heroin that came into western Europe, which was very pure by anybody’s standards,”… Even today, older drug users “still wax eloquent about how lovely it was, that heroin that was 50% purity. It didn’t need to be mixed with anything else.”
According to government statistics, the number of heroin users in Scotland rose dramatically in the 1990s, from around 1,000 in 1989 to more than 10,000 by the end of the decade. This rise in drug use was accompanied by a sharp increase in the number of overdose deaths, with heroin being responsible for a significant proportion of the country’s drug-related fatalities.
However, despite the increasing urgency of the problem, public discourse around heroin was limited, with many people unsure of the true extent of the problem and the best ways to address it. In this context, Trainspotting emerged as a powerful voice that shed light on the reality of heroin addiction, and helped to raise awareness of the problem among the wider public. Through its graphic and often shocking portrayal of drug use, Trainspotting challenged prevailing attitudes towards heroin and those who were addicted to it, and opened up a much-needed conversation about the issue.
Public Perception
Trainspotting had a significant impact on the public perception of heroin addiction, with many praising the film for its honesty and authenticity. Although the film and book contains many great moments, one of the most memorable is from Ewan Mcgregor’s character. He says, and Irvine Welsh wrote, this:
Thank you for stopping in. Head over to the Cannadelics Weekly Newsletter for direct updates; and get access to awesome deals on cannabis buds, vapes, edibles, smoking devices and equipment, cannabinoid compounds, and some psychedelic products! Go get high responsibly!
“Choose Life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a fucking big television, choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers. Choose good health, low cholesterol, and dental insurance. Choose fixed interest mortgage repayments. Choose a starter home. Choose your friends. Choose leisurewear and matching luggage. Choose a three-piece suite on hire purchase in a range of fucking fabrics. Choose DIY and wondering who the fuck you are on a Sunday morning. Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing, spirit-crushing game shows, stuffing fucking junk food into your mouth. Choose rotting away at the end of it all, pishing your last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, fucked up brats you spawned to replace yourself”
The ‘choose life’ campaign was a anti-drug concept that aimed to give substance abusers the confidence to say no to drugs. However, what Trainspotting perfectly captures here is that the choice doesn’t seem to be a difficult one. The ‘life’ that they speak of, well, it isn’t so great anyway, is it? It was this truthfulness that highlighted, on a rare occasion, that substance abusers don’t believe life is worth the hassle. For many people in Scotland and the world, their miserable lives are somewhat improved by drugs. Maybe only temporarily, but still improved. Danny Boyle, the director, says:
“It was presenting these voices who are normally marginalized. Drug addicts from the fringe “sinker estates” around Edinburgh — they were on the outskirts of Edinburgh — were regarded as being, at best, victims. At worst, evil. And all stupid; to get involved with this drug and let their lives decay in the way they did. But actually, the book celebrates their energy.”
Highlighting the energy of the user is something that not many did, and still avoid doing. To show an addict as anything other than miserable, ill and unemployed is rare in the media. Trainspotting, whilst horrific and graphic, does show some glimpse of joy in these character’s lives. If you want to portray truth and nuance in a film, you cannot ignore this. Trainspotting wasn’t treating the public like children, it was treating them like adults. It helped to spark a much-needed conversation about the issue.
Political Change
Scotland, like many other nations, still suffers greatly from drug issues. Whilst not much changed in the laws around heroin at the time, the zeitgeist shift was undoubtable. It is this that often causes long-lasting change eventually. After the film came out, the heroin problem continued of course. In 2000 there was a peak of 706 deaths due to this substance in Scotland. Even now, the Scottish death rate due to drug use is the highest in Europe. It’s three and half times that of the UK. Despite this, it is films like Trainspotting that had the guts to shine a light on the truth.
A truth that may not be pretty – although sometimes it can be the prettiest thing in the world – but a truth that must be acknowledged. Art cannot fix a problem, but it can give us the courage and the information to try. Danny Boyle joins a list of many other filmmakers – including the likes of Seth Rogen – who have made it their mission to destigmatize substance use. The war on drugs has not worked and will never work. It is films like Trainspotting that blatantly underlines why a new approach is so desperately needed.
Conclusion
Whilst Trainspotting did not fix the heroin situation in Scotland, for the first time it highlighted the nuance of it. Millions of people did not understand or even want to understand why people turned to heroin in the 90s. This film, written by Irvin Welsh and directed by Danny Boyle, gave a platform to those individuals. Why would anyone want to choose life when life is full of misery? It left people with this deeply meaningful question. The more films like Trainspotting exist, the closer we as a population can get to treating addicts as people, and not criminals.
Thanks for making your way over! We appreciate you stopping in at Cannadelics.com; where we work to bring you the best in independent news coverage for the cannabis and psychedelics spaces. Visit us regularly for daily news injections, and sign up to the Cannadelics Weekly Newsletter, so you’re always on top of what’s going on.
In the news today regarding the famous canal – but what about Panama and marijuana?
Panama is the only place in the world where the sun rises in the Pacific Ocean and sets in the Atlantic Ocean. It is slightly smaller than South Carolina but has more bird species than the continental United States. It’s also home to many natural attractions, including whitewater rafting, snorkeling, and birding. Long a friend, it was the first Latin American country to use the US dollar as its currency. Now it is the news with the new administration. Considering the talk here, what about Panama and cannabis?
The economy of Panama is based mainly on the tourism and services sector, which accounts for nearly 80% of its GDP and accounts for most of its foreign income. Services include banking, commerce, insurance, container ports, and flagship registry, medical and health. Enjoy a significant number of travelers who enjoy adventure, outdoor activities and chilling, the country’s stance on marijuana is evolving.
Panama has made significant strides in the realm of cannabis, particularly regarding its medical use. In 2021, Panama became the first Central American nation to legalize medical cannabis when President Laurentino Cortizo signed Law 242, allowing for the medicinal and therapeutic use of cannabis and its derivatives. This law was a response to growing demands from patients suffering from various medical conditions, including epilepsy and chronic pain, who had previously resorted to smuggling cannabis products due to a lack of legal options
In September 2022, the Panamanian government established regulations to support the implementation of Law 242. These regulations created a National Directorate for the Monitoring of Activities Related to Medical Cannabis, which operates under the Ministry of Public Security. This body is responsible for overseeing the cultivation, production, and distribution of medical cannabis products, ensuring patient data protection and product traceability from cultivation to sale. The Ministry of Health (MOH) is tasked with issuing licenses for manufacturing and commercializing cannabis products, with an initial cap on manufacturing licenses set at seven for the first five years. Regulations aim to ensure that all medical cannabis produced in Panama adheres to strict quality standards.
The government envisions creating a robust local industry that not only meets domestic needs but also positions Panama as a potential hub for international medical cannabis trade. While they are making advancements in medical cannabis regulation, recreational use remains illegal in Panama. The law against recreational cannabis is often unenforced, leading to a culture where its use is tolerated among the youth. Both the public and tourist find it an easy atmosphere.
Panama has one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America and has as stable government. Like the United States, it is a republic and engages the public. They have evaluated cannabis as a benefits and have moved to integrating into their healthcare.
They are more popular than dating apps and are consider a best friend – but are they really there when you need them emotionally?
They are man’s best friend with 38% of Canadians and roughly 50% of Americans having a dog. In the US more men have dogs and in Canada more woman have the furry companion. While they are fun, loving and play, does your dog really care when you are sad? Dogs have long been known as loyal companions, but recent research suggests that their emotional intelligence may run deeper than mere companionship; they can actually empathize with their owners’ feelings, particularly during times of distress.
A study published in the journal Learning & Behavior explored how dogs respond to their owners’ emotional states. Researchers found that dogs not only recognize when their owners are upset but also take action to provide comfort. In the experiment, 34 dog-owner pairs were observed in a controlled setting where owners either cried or hummed a cheerful tune. The results showed that while the dogs opened a door to reach their owners at similar rates, those who heard crying did so significantly faster—averaging just 23 seconds compared to 96 seconds for the humming group. This indicates that dogs are more inclined to respond quickly when they perceive their owner is in distress.
Interestingly, the study also noted physiological responses in dogs when their owners cried. Dogs that opened the door displayed lower stress levels than those who did not, suggesting that while they were affected by the owner’s crying, they were not overwhelmed by it. Conversely, dogs who showed high levels of stress likely cared deeply but were too anxious to act. This highlights a range of emotional responses among dogs, similar to human reactions.
The bond between dogs and their owners plays a crucial role in these empathetic behaviors. Dogs with stronger attachments to their owners exhibited quicker responses to distress signals. This bond is essential as it fosters a mutual understanding of emotions, allowing dogs to act on their instincts to comfort their human companions. As research continues to unfold, it becomes increasingly clear that our canine companions are not just pets; they are emotionally attuned partners capable of providing significant comfort during our most challenging moments.
There are beloved and fun – and some of the classic and Spaghetti western’s have some fun
From today’s hit like Yellowstone to the old school TV classics like Gunsmoke, Bonzana and High Chapperell. Riding the wave of popularity, in the 60s and 70s a subgenera appeared in Italy produced with low budgets. Sergio Leone is considered the pioneer of the spaghetti Western genre. Leone was an Italian filmmaker who directed several and help make them popular. They are know for their anti-her and supervision of traditional Western tropes. All of If you look past the plots, you can see there is value in what they share. Here are some fun life lessons learned from Spaghetti Westerns.
If you pay attention, Westerns can teach you more about love and sex than a Prince song, and that’s saying something. Setting the stage – say you’re drinking at your favorite saloon and a local tough just called a barmaid a wench while grabbing her arm. You would get up, punch the guy square in the jaw and fighting would commence. After you win (of course you would win because you’re a good guy and good guys always win), the barmaid would take you upstairs, clean your wounds and then she would sleep with you. Ah, the good old days, where all it took to get laid was risking personal safety. Say what you want, it’s still better than Tinder.
Alcoholism is a career option
In the Old West, being a drunk was a totally viable career option. In fact, it was damn near necessary. Every respectable town needed a town drunk. Why? How would you know who the respectable people were if there were no unrespectable people to compare? It wasn’t a bad living. You’d stumble out of bed, clock in for work stinking of whiskey, wearing the same clothes you went to bed in.
Fashion
In the Old West, wearing black meant you were a crappy person with no scruples or morals to speak of. In today’s society, wearing black usually means you’re a New Yorker, which to the rest of the world, coincidentally, means you’re a crappy person with no scruples or morals to speak of. In the Old West, all the bad guys wore black. So unless you were on the wrong side of the law, black was out of the question. Which is really too bad because black is really slimming. It’s a shame clothing can be so stigmatized.
Being a “man” may be a subjective thing in our modern times — but in the old West, there was a litmus test of manhood. Men had to be tough, brave rugged and tall. If you weren’t tall — that’s OK, you just had to have a complex about it and punch every third man you saw in the jaw. Why? Because you’re a man that’s why! But you also deeply loved your horse, you dog, and, while you didn’t show it, the few friends you have. You also stood up for what you believe in – sometimes when the odds are against you.
The 1966 classic The Good, the Bad and The Ugly is said to be best spaghetti Westerns ever made. Take a little time and enjoy the blending of Westerns, culture, art and more.