A friend just called to fill me on a couple interesting things that happened to him yesterday.
First, he was in a local ABC store (Va has Gov't run liquor stores) and found that this particular one has a very pro-absinthe Manager. He has Kubler on the shelf, says he carries Lucid and St. Georges (but is out of stock), will be carrying N.O. as soon as it comes in, and says he will carry any absinthe available in the US if we provide him with a wish-list. Note that he name-dropped the above products without being asked.
I checked the 2 closest to my home, both were aware it is here, but said only the heavy volume movers get their pick of products. I live in a "John's Corn Likker" part of town, so I'll have to drive a mile or so to get it off the shelf.
So, the world is most definitley changing. I would've thought Virginia would be the last State to carry these items.
This very same day, he goes to pick up a package containing 2 bottles of Ike from the gov't-run delivery service and is told they suspect that it contains alcohol. He either has to open it in front of them so they can confiscate it, or send it back. He says "Screw you, send it back".
Two steps forward, one step back.