Absinthe is obviously so steeped in notoriety. But it really needn't be. The so called reason for it being banned is because of the hallucinogenic Thujone in Wormwood. Now Wormwood does contain Thujone but it is found in higher concentrations in Sage!! Beware those Licolnshire sausages! The real reason is the resurgence of the Brandy industry and cronyism within the political elite of early 1900's France!