Absinthe and Laudanum

I tweeted a link to my writers guide page, A Writers Guide: Absinthe and Laudanum.
I am surprised the way Absinthe had been popularized again. The first time I was in New Orleans years ago, it was banned everywhere in the U.S., now on my most recent visit I see that it is accessible once more as an alcoholic beverage(I have heard though that they have altered it in some way, no more wormwood perhaps?). I looked for the Absinthe Fountain erected in Victorian times in the courtyard one of the hotels but it has been torn down.