Is absinthe still illegal in the US? If so, why?!
Why? Because I am curious, and would like to at least try some, in moderation (really).
Thanks all!
Answers: I know it has some kind of hallucinogenic effects, or at least used to, but if that's the case, those medicated seasickness patches should be illegal too (lol). I've seen a few places to get it online that APPEAR to be US based, but A), one never knows, and B), I don't feel like getting arrested for ordering it. Besides, the "cheap" bottle is $99!
Why? Because I am curious, and would like to at least try some, in moderation (really).
Thanks all!
A) It is not illegal. It is perfectly legal to by two or three forms in the US and COMPLETELY legal to import any.
B) It has no hallucinogenic effect AT ALL. The whole idea about it making you see green fairies was cooked up by the french wine industry in the late 1800's after they almost went out of business because of a plague. They chief competitor of wine in France was Absinthe. Chemical testing on vintage unopened bottle from that era have proven the claim to be false.
C) Lucid (available in the US) was developed by TA Breaux the worlds leading expert on Absinthe and at about $60 a bottle is your best bet.
NO apparently it has just become legal in the U.S. I saw an article about it on AOL today.
Yes, it is - kind of. Traditional absinthe is made with a chemical that comes from wormwood. Because wormwood is highly toxic, it is illegal in the U.S. However, some companies have begun to make an "absinthe" that is missing that key chemical, and thus is legal to sell and consume in the U.S. It's not the same drink, but it's similar.
It is still illegal in the US. The government deemed it as a threat to society, much like they did with pot.
I have had shots of the real absinthe that a friend brought back from Prague. I don't remember much after that.
Yes, it's still illegal to have in large quantities. From what I've heard Customs doesn't care about small quantities though.
From what I remember the reason it's outlawed is due to poor imitations that have been available which involve some very nasty compounds. Real versions share the same effects of any other alcohol; little more. And a lovely green tint. :-)
It has been illegal in the US for quite some time now. "absinthe" is a spirit made of over 132 fermented botanicals; the major ones being anise, anisette, and another called "wormwood," which is hallucinogenic. For this reason alone, "absinthe" is illegal, but "Absente" is not. "Absente" is a brand of beverage that is like traditional "absinthe" in every way, except it uses "southern wormwood" instead of wormwood straight up - it's less potent and as hallucinogenic as a beer would be.
Do you know the color "Chartreuse"? It's a shade of green right? Ever wonder why we use the word chartreuse to describe a shade of green? It's because in Europe, monks all over the place, especially France, brew and ferment all kinds of things, developing drinks like Absinthe and another botanical-spirit called "Chartreuse." In America, we call some shades of green chartreuse because they are the same color as the spirit "Chartreuse."
Don't listen to the idiots who say it's illegal. It used to be, but the ban was very recently lifted. In fact, I was at a bar 5 days ago, and it was there on the shelf. You won't get arrested if you order it. However, you might get arrested for something after you drink it! Good luck!
grt_n_pwrfl_oz is correct. A company called "Lucid" has devised a method to reduce the chemical of concern called thujone to be less than 10 parts per million and is selling it under the name "absinthe superieure".
Absinthe...the real stuff, does contain wormwood extract, but the effects are negligible. The absinthe laws are antiquated and obsolete. The stuff is simply high proof, and that will **** you up quite nicely by itself. You can import the stuff to your hearts content!
Earlier this year, two brands of absinthe began to be legally imported to the United States. It's been legal again in the entire European Union for several years.
Absinthe does not have hallucinogenic effects, and is not regulated as a drug. I’ve had authentic French Absinthe (Jade Edouard), and its effects are almost entirely from the high alcohol content (144 proof). The various botanicals in absinthe are aromatic and nice, and may add effects similar to a cup of herbal tea. The buzz is nice and clean, curiously pleasant even, but basically alcoholic. Stories of wild and powerful effects come mostly from prohibition-era propaganda. The only regulation the US had ever had against absinthe is from the FDA, which prohibits the use of wormwood in food and beverages (due to it containing thujone, even though it's also in other common herbs). Most absinthe still can’t be legally imported into the US, but the most serious penalty likely to be imposed is a shipment being confiscated by customs.
Absinthe is fascinating; there’s lots of history and mystique. For more information, including the recent legal changes and some great artwork, try starting with this article in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/12/arts/1...