Is absinthe legal or illegal? Learn about the current situation of absinthe, its effects and the legal regulations that regulate it.

Absinthe, an alcoholic beverage known for its green color and herbal flavor, has long been surrounded by controversy and mystery. It is often associated with bohemian artists and writers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as Vincent van Gogh and Oscar Wilde. However, its legality has been the subject of debate in several countries around the world. So is absinthe legal? Let’s see what the current situation of absinthe is in the different regions.

USA:

In the United States, the legal status of absinthe has undergone significant changes over the years. Historically, absinthe was banned in 1912 due to concerns about its supposed hallucinogenic properties and potential adverse public health effects. However, in 2007 the ban was lifted and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) clarified regulations on absinthe production and labeling. Today, absinthe that meets specific requirements for thujone content (a chemical compound found in wormwood, one of absinthe’s key ingredients) can be legally sold and consumed in the United States.

European Union:

In the European Union (EU), the legal status of absinthe varies between Member States. EU regulations set a maximum thujone limit of 35 milligrams per kilogram for drinks containing wormwood. However, each country can establish its own regulations within this framework. Countries such as France, Belgium and Spain have legalized absinthe with specific restrictions on the thujone content, while others, such as Switzerland and the Netherlands, do not have any specific regulations on the thujone content in absinthe.

Rest of the world:

1. Canada: Absinthe with a thujone content of less than 10 milligrams per kilogram is legal.
2. Australia: Absinthe with a thujone content of less than 35 milligrams per kilogram is legal.

Is Absinthe Legal: A Comprehensive Guide

Table 1: Countries with legal restrictions on absinthe

• France – Absinthe was legalized in 2011, allowing the production and sale of distilled absinthe with certain regulations and restrictions.
• United States – The ban on absinthe was lifted in 2007, following the approval of certain brands that fit specific guidelines by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.
• Switzerland – Absinthe has been legal in Switzerland since 2005, after a century of prohibition.

Note: Absinthe regulations differ from country to country. It is essential to research and understand the specific laws of each jurisdiction before purchasing or consuming absinthe.

Although the psychoactive properties of absinthe have been the subject of myths and speculation, scientific research has shed light on its main active ingredient, thujone, and its possible effects on the human body. Thujone, present in wormwood, is a GABA receptor antagonist that can cause seizures and seizures in high doses. However, the thujone content in commercially produced absinthe is limited by legal requirements, ensuring its safety for consumption.

Uncovering the Truth: The Legal Status of Absinthe

The History of Absinthe: Before delving into the legal aspects, it is important to understand the background and origins of absinthe. Absinthe is a strong anise-flavored spirit that originated in Switzerland in the late 18th century. It gained popularity in the 19th century, especially in France, where it was associated with the bohemian lifestyle. However, concerns about the possible health risks and supposed hallucinogenic properties of absinthe led to its ban in numerous countries in the early 20th century.

The Legal Status of Absinthe:

Contrary to popular belief, absinthe is not illegal worldwide. The rules governing absinthe vary from country to country. In some countries, such as the United States and Canada, absinthe was banned for a considerable period of time, but is now legal and regulated. However, the production, labeling and sale of absinthe in these countries are governed by strict regulations.

• United States: In the United States, absinthe was officially legalized in 2007 after decades of prohibition. However, you must adhere to certain guidelines set by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). These guidelines specify that the thujone content in absinthe should not exceed 10 parts per million.
• Canada: In Canada, absinthe was also legalized in 2007. As in the United States, the Canadian Food and Drug Act sets limits on thujone content, which must not exceed 10 parts per million.

1. European Union: In the European Union, absinthe has been legal since 1988, with regulations focused on the thujone content. EU regulations allow a maximum thujone concentration of 10 milligrams per kilogram in spirits with an alcohol content greater than 30%.
2. Switzerland and France: Absinthe, being part of its cultural heritage, has always been legal in both Switzerland and France. In fact, these countries have even designated specific AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) regulations to protect the production and authenticity of absinthe.

An important point to note is that the thujone content of absinthe, once considered responsible for its hallucinogenic effects, is now minimal and unlikely to cause such effects. The legal status of absinthe today focuses primarily on ensuring the safety and quality of the product rather than its historical associations.

The Historical Controversy: Absinthe Bans around the World

Absinthe, an alcoholic beverage made from botanicals such as wormwood, anise and fennel, has a long history. It originated in Switzerland in the late 18th century and became very popular among artists, writers and bohemians in the 19th century. However, the consumption of absinthe was embroiled in a historic controversy that led to its ban in many countries around the world.

The controversy surrounding absinthe was primarily due to its psychoactive effects, specifically attributed to the presence of thujone, a chemical compound found in wormwood. Thujone was believed to be responsible for inducing hallucinations, paranoia, and even madness. This fear intensified to such an extent that absinthe was often nicknamed the “Green Fairy” or the “Green Muse”, the consumption of which was believed to lead to extreme debauchery and moral decay.

I knew it? Absinthe was also known as “La Fée Verte” in French, which translates to “The Green Fairy.”

In response to public concern, a wave of absinthe bans swept across Europe and North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The first country to ban absinthe was Switzerland in 1908, followed by the United States in 1912. Other countries, such as France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, also banned absinthe during this period.

1. Switzerland was the first country to ban absinthe in 1908.
2. The United States banned absinthe in 1912.
3. France did the same in 1915.
4. Belgium banned absinthe in 1917.
5. In 1923, the Netherlands also banned the production and sale of absinthe.

Despite the bans, absinthe’s appeal persisted and gave rise to clandestine production and smuggling. Over the years, scientific research has shed light on the true nature of absinthe and debunked many of the misconceptions surrounding its psychoactive effects. As a result, bans on absinthe were gradually lifted in several countries, allowing for the revival of this historically controversial drink.

Europe’s Progressive Stance: Legalizing Absinthe in the EU

In recent years, the European Union (EU) has taken a progressive stance on the legalization of absinthe, a strong herbal alcoholic beverage with a rich history. Absinthe, often known as the “Green Fairy”, was banned in many countries in Europe and the United States for its alleged psychoactive properties and association with harmful health effects. However, recent scientific evidence and a better understanding of the composition of absinthe have led to a re-evaluation of its legal status.

One of the key factors in the change in attitude towards absinthe in the EU is the review of regulations on thujone, a chemical compound present in wormwood, one of the main ingredients in absinthe. Thujone was believed to be responsible for the hallucinogenic effects previously associated with absinthe. However, research has shown that thujone levels in absinthe are much lower than previously thought and do not pose a significant health risk. Therefore, the EU has revised its regulations, allowing absinthe with thujone levels below a certain threshold to be legally produced and sold in Member States.

Important information:

1. The European Union has taken a more progressive stance on the legal status of absinthe.
2. The revision of thujone regulations has played an important role in the legalization of absinthe.
3. Scientific evidence shows that absinthe’s thujone levels are lower than previously believed.

At present, several EU countries have legalized absents, with specific norms to guarantee safe consumption. For example, in France, absence can be produced and legally sold provided that Tuyona levels do not exceed 35 mg/l. Similarly, Spain and Germany have adopted maximum thresholds of Tuyona of 10 mg/l. The Czech Republic has adopted a more indulgent approach, allowing the sale of absenta without any specific restriction on the levels of Tujona.

The United States Dilemma: Absinthe’s Journey through Prohibition

The journey of absence through prohibition in the United States is a complex and intriguing history. The origins of absence date back to Switzerland, at the end of the 18th century, where it was initially used as medicinal elixir. Its popularity spread rapidly throughout Europe, especially among the creative and intellectual elites of the time. However, the concern for its possible negative effects on health and society soon emerged, which resulted in a wide campaign against drinking.

“ABSEENTA has been described as a dangerous and addictive drink that can cause hallucinations, madness and even murders.”

These sensationalist statements, although lacking scientific evidence, captured the attention of the public and the legislators, which led to a request for total prohibition. In 1912, the United States prohibited the production, sale and import of absenta, adding to other countries that had already applied similar measures. The prohibition of absence remained for almost a century, and the drink was wrapped in myth and mystery.

It was not until 2007 when the United States finally lifted the prohibition of absence, allowing the production and sale of duly regulated versions of the drink. However, its production is still subject to strict rules that limit the content of Tujona, the psychoactive compound to which the reputation of the absence is attributed. Nowadays, both absented fans and curious consumers have the opportunity to try this controversial drink, but knowing their history and possible effects better.

The Modern-Day Landscape: Absinthe Regulations and Restrictions

In recent years, the regulations and restrictions surrounding the consumption and sale of absenta have experienced significant changes. Absenta, an alcoholic beverage with botanical ingredients such as anise, alien and fennel, has a long and intriguing history. However, due to the concern for their potentially harmful effects, many countries have imposed strict standards to control their production and distribution.

The evolution of legislation: Absinthe, once considered a substance associated with hallucinations and madness, was banned in several countries at the beginning of the 20th century. However, modern scientific research has debunked many of these myths, leading to the relaxation of restrictions in many parts of the world. Today, several countries have adopted specific regulations to define the legal standards for the production and distribution of absinthe.

“EU Regulation No 110/2008 is a crucial piece of legislation regulating the production, labeling and sale of absinthe in the EU. It sets out and defines specific requirements regarding the maximum concentration of thujone, a compound that isfound in wormwood and was previously believed to be responsible for the supposed psychoactive effects of absinthe.”

Thujone: Thujone is a chemical compound present in wormwood, one of the key botanical ingredients in absinthe. Historically, thujone has been associated with supposed psychoactive properties, which has led to absinthe’s poor reputation. However, it is now widely accepted that the amount of thujone in properly produced and regulated absinthe is too low to cause hallucinatory effects. The maximum permitted concentration of thujone varies by country, with limits ranging between 10mg/kg and 35mg/kg.

• Germany and France, two countries with a rich absinthe heritage, allow a maximum concentration of 35mg/kg of thujone in absinthe.
• Switzerland, the birthplace of absinthe, allows a concentration of up to 10 mg/kg of thujone.
• The United States, which previously banned absinthe entirely, lifted the ban in 2007, allowing the legal sale of absinthe with a concentration of less than 10 mg/kg of thujone.

The Rising Popularity: Exploring the Global Resurgence of Absinthe

This growing fascination with absinthe can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the lifting of bans in several countries has played a crucial role in its resurgence. Major nations have revised their laws, recognizing that absinthe’s psychoactive properties were exaggerated in the past. Consequently, numerous distillers produce and sell absinthe legally, allowing hobbyists to explore its unique flavor and effects without fear of prosecution.

Impact on the Medical Field

The rebirth of absenta has also aroused the curiosity of the medical community, which has resulted in an increase in research on its possible health benefits and risks. Although the exact medical implications of absence consumption are still being studied, the initial results suggest that moderate and responsible use can have certain advantages.

An area of interest is its effect on digestion. Historically, absence has been used as a digestive tonic due to the presence of several herbal ingredients, such as waters, fennel and anise. Overjobly, in particular, contains compounds that stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes, potentially helping to break food and improving gastrointestinal function in general.

• The first investigations suggest that absence can stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes
• The alien, one of the main herbs of the absence, could have digestive benefits.
• More studies are needed to establish exact mechanisms and potential risks

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Author of the article

Dr.Greenblatt M.

Medical oncologist at the Robert Larner College of Medicine, MD, at the University of Vermont