Opinions - Absinthe Ban in Europe?

[pacamohu]

I recently heard that absinthe was being banned in Germany and other
parts of Europe where it had previously been legal.
Is there any truth to this?

[windtraveler]

Not really sure, i havent much kept up with absinthe legality. However, i do know that Switzerland, where the green goddess has been illegal for years, is in the process of making it legal. Should also be legal in France, Czech, and many other European countries.

[windtraveler]

Pacamohu, this is what erowid says:

E.U. #
We have received report that European Union treaties may make sales of thujone-containing absinthe legal in all EU countries

Czech Republic #
Absinthe is legal and common in the Czech Republic. Thujone containing absinthe is available in stores including Tesco, a large supermarket chain.

Germany #
Thujone-containing absinthe available at bars and stores in Germany, in 2002 it is quite popular in some parts of Germany and Austria

Hungary #
We have been told that Absinthe became legally available in Hungary in early 2004 but that quality and potency is generally low. [Thanks Gee]

Italy #
Thujone containing absinthe sold in some smartshops. [Thanks DiO-LeCclo]

Netherlands #
1909 ban on absinthe sales lifted Jul 2004. Thujone-containing absinthe sold in liquor stores, as long as thujone quantity remain within European-accepted levels. [Thanks Tino and Enrico]

Portugal #
Thujone containing absinthe sold in liquor stores, bars, clubs, and supermarkets.

Spain #
Thujone containing absinthe widely available.

Sweden #
Absinthe sold in all liquor stores marked as containing wormwood extract:
"In Sweden absinthe can be bought in all liquor stores (Pere Kermann's Absinthe, made in France). And the way it works in the EU is that if a product is legal in one country it is automaticaly legal in all EU countries.

It says on the front label "Spiriteux aux extraits de plantes d'absinthe" and on the back label " ingredients: alcohol, water, aroma, wormwood infusion, sugar, colouring: E131-E102. It is sold as containing thujone." - from Ulf

United Kingdom #
Thujone-containing absinthe sold in some stores (liquor stores, Tesco, Harrods) and small number of pubs, as long as thujone quantity remains within European-accepted levels. Absinthe was never banned in the UK, as the market for it ended with the banning of French exports and the belt-tightening during and after the first world war. (Unconfirmed, thanks air_guitar)

[nEone]

Yeah, rather than a ban, there is a movement towards revitalizing the
once favored drink of Europe. They've got regulations on the Thujone
levels.

It used to be believed that the thujone levels of old absinthe was WAY
higher than the current regulations allow. However, recent analysis of
antique bottles have proven this to be untrue.THe highest levels are
found in home made swiss Blue varieties (they are clear -- not green),
and the "efects" are not noticeably different from good commercial French
brands.