Well, it is if you consider keeping the public safe from poorly arranged flowers.
The new lawsuit, which was filed this week, is also backed up by a recent I.J. study in which “Louisiana-licensed florists as well as unlicensed florists from across the border in Texas were asked to judge a random line-up of floral arrangements—25 purchased from shops in regulated Louisiana and 25 purchased from unregulated Texas.” Guess what? “Not even the licensed Louisiana florists could find any difference in the quality of the arrangements.” Yet Thomas Spedale, a licensed florist in Lafayette who likes the idea of having the state artificially restrict his competition, says Louisiana’s legislators were farsighted to perceive a threat to the public from improperly arranged flowers and nip it in the bud:
“We are the only state in the union who has this law, and I think we lead the nation. I think Louisiana has this right. This is protection for the consumer.”
Some things shouldn’t even need the Constitution to be overturned, being stupid should be enough.
Windy Recycling Day 
March 9th, 2010 at 7:48 am
if it weren’t for the liscense every quack could just up and open a flower shop and destroy the industry that we the liscensed florists of louisiana have worked so hard to build. i stand behind the liscense and those who protect it to the fullest extent of the laws it inforces. those who can’t pass the test can ask many of us for help and guidance in the proper techiques it takes to pass the test.
As for those who are against the liscense they need to choose a non-liscensed profession, or stop crying. the liscense isnt that hard to obtain.
all you have to do is learn and study as with any other profession.
thanks rick breaux
March 9th, 2010 at 9:27 am
Rick –
Thank you so much for your eloquent comment. You have actually changed my mind. Certainly there should be state, if not federal, licensing of florists to protect us all from some rogue flower arranger putting together a vase of flowers that are clearly contraindicated.
In fact, I think we should license nearly every activity, starting with commenting on blogs. Yes, your comment has convinced me that every commenter should be licensed, to protect the children from poor spelling and grammar.
Because you, as a licensed professional florist, deserve the respect and admiration your deep study of floral arrangement has earned you. As such a learned professional, certainly children will look up to you, and assume you took the time to spell “licensed” correctly when making an argument about licensing; and your use of “inforced” would of course be treated as correct as well.
I’m sure your position has nothing to do with either of the real reasons for such a stupid law, which are creating a barrier to entry or increasing revenue to the state.
You can’t just have any quack opening up a florist shop, right?
March 23rd, 2010 at 10:34 am
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