Absinthe was made illegal in several countries around the world in the early 1900s but has recently been legalized in the majority of countries due to tests showing its safety. This information will answer the question “Where is Absinthe legal?” and explain current legislation.
Absinthe, also known as the Green fairy or La Fee Verte, is high proof but is usually served diluted with water which in turn causes the louche effect – the clouding that occurs when water is added to the alcohol.
Absinthe is actually a strong liquor which has an anise taste. Absinthe was a popular beverage in La Belle Epoque period in French history and also in the time www.absinthelegal.com known as the Great Binge, a time when cocaine, cannabis and heroin were utilized in drinks and children’s medicine prior to when the dangers were recognized.
Absinthe was linked to the drug cannabis since it contains a chemical substance called thujone which has been considered to be similar to THC. Thujone is found in wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium), the ingredient that gives Absinthe its name as well as its slight bitter taste. Absinthe was considered to comprise high quantities of thujone and to cause psychedelic effects. Research has since shown that the Absinthe recipe only contained small amounts of wormwood and gas chromatography tests have shown that even pre ban Absinthe only contained minute quantities of thujone.
Where is Absinthe legal right now?
United States – The United States banned Absinthe and drinks that contains thujone in 1912. It was a crime to get or sell Absinthe in the USA although people succeeded to get Absinthe shipped in to the US from other countries for private use.
Absinthe was never actually blocked properly in the US. The law declares that beverages must be tested and found to become “thujone free” to be legal to purchase but test equipment demonstrates Absinthe to be “thujone free” if it contains 10 parts per million or less of thujone. This law therefore means that many brands of today’s Absinthe are flawlessly legal in the US. In 2007 brans such as “Lucid” went on sale in the United States and many more have followed suit.
The EU (European Union) – In 1988 the EU reported that Absinthe with a thujone content of 10mg/kg or less could go for sale and that alcohol considered as bitters could comprise approximately 35mg/kg of thujone. This was fantastic news for Absinthe lovers in Europe.
Australia – Bitters having a thujone content of up to 35mg/kg are legal and other beverages can comprise up to 10mg/kg.
Brazil – Absinthe of approximately 10mg/kg thujone and with less than 55% abv might be sold.
Canada – Every Canadian province features its own liquor board with its own legislation regarding Absinthe. Quite a few provinces do not let any thujone containing alcohol to be distributed but Absinthe is legal in British Columbia, where there isn’t any control limit, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. Quebec and also Ontario legislate that Absinthe with as much as 10mg/kg thujone can be legally sold.
Czech Republic – The Czech Republic has always been famous for its Absinthe and its Absinthe bars. Absinthe happens to be legal in the Czech Republic.
France – In 1988 a law was passed allowing thujone beverages to be marketed if they complied with EU laws and if they were tagged “spiritueux à base de plantes d’absinthe” rather than Absinthe. Fenchone, the chemical found in fennel is also regulated in France and beverages are just allowed around 5mg/liter of fenchone.
Hungary – Absinthe became legal once again in 2004.
Israel – Absinthe is legal for sale in Israel.
Ireland – In Ireland, individuals can order Absinthe from other countries for personal ingestion but it is not legal for sale within Ireland.
Netherlands – Absinthe must fulfill EU requirements.
New Zealand – Absinthe is authorized in New Zealand.
Portugal – Absinthe was not ever illegal in Portugal.
Russia – Absinthe is perfectly legal in Russia and even high thujone Absinthes (up to 75mg/kg thujone) are available.
Serbia – Serbia does not apparently allow Absinthe made up of thujone or higher 50% abv to be sold.
South Africa – Absinthe has been legal in South Africa since 2005.
Sweden – Absinthe needs to be defined as containing wormwood and should abide by EU legislation.
Switzerland – After over 90 years of remaining prohibited, Absinthe was at last legalized in its home country in 2005.
UK – The UK never restricted Absinthe. Absinthe must observe EU legislation.
You should be careful purchasing Absinthe online because there are many fake Absinthes that have been created for sale in countries where thujone that contains Absinthe was illegal. So that you can feel the real taste of Absinthe, you need to look for a quality wormwood Absinthe or make your own using Absinthe essences from AbsintheKit.com. These essences are manufactured from traditional Absinthe herbs, which includes wormwood, and are already distilled. If you receive your essence, simply mix with vodka or Everclear – easy! These essences can be shipped globally and you don’t have to worry “where is Absinthe legal?” since they’re not Absinthe til you have created them. Look into the website for details.
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