Why was absinthe banned for 100 years? … In the U.S., absinthe alcohol is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and the reason it was banned for so long has to do with one particular ingredient. Absinthe contains thujone, a chemical found in several edible plants — including tarragon, sage, and wormwood.

Why is absinthe so bad?

Absinthe has often been portrayed as a dangerously addictive psychoactive drug and hallucinogen. The chemical compound thujone, which is present in the spirit in trace amounts, was blamed for its alleged harmful effects.

Can you still get real absinthe?

In the United States, real Absinthe is not a controlled substance but its sale in bars and liquor stores is banned. Absinthe is, however, legal to purchase and possess in the United States. In most of the European Union, absinthe may be sold as long as it stays at 35mg limit of thujone.