France lifts absinthe ban

FRENCH absinthe makers can finally say what’s in the bottle.

French authorities banned the drink a century ago because of its alleged hallucinogenic qualities.

Authorities permitted the sale of absinthe again in 1988 after scientists found the drink wasn’t more dangerous than other strong alcoholic drinks but wouldn’t let producers call it absinthe. Now a decree in the state’s Journal Officiel says the name ban has been dropped.

Distillers hailed it as a chance to promote absinthe in a country where much of the world’s supply is produced but few people know it is sold.