LA only state to require a license to be a florist

Louisiana Is the Only State to License Florists. Gov. Edwards Says It Should Stop.

Louisiana, the only state in the country to have such a nonsensical requirement.

Louisiana lawmakers might finally eliminate their floral licensing scheme as part of a full-scale overhaul of the state's occupational licensing laws.

Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, earlier this week called for the passage of a series of bills to lift regulatory burdens on Louisiana workers and businesses. Included in his official legislative agenda for 2018 is HB 561, sponsored by state Rep. Julie Emerson (R-Carencro). It would repeal the licensing requirements for wholesale and retail florists.

Louisiana's licensing requirements are the 6th worst in the nation, according to the Institute for Justice's 2017 report on licensing laws. In addition to being the only state that licenses florists, Louisiana is one of just four states to require interior designers to be licensed and is one of only six states to license tree-trimmers.

Mike Strain, commissioner of the Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commission, which oversees the licensing boards for florists, tree-trimmers, and other similar fields, tells the Baton Rouge Advocate that these rules are necessary to protect consumers. Without licensing, he claims, "you're going to set up a situation where anybody can open a floral shop and there's no method to regulate the industry and protect the public.

Protect the public from what?

This is the laziest argument possible for denying people the right to pursue the careers of their choosing. If the Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commission is America's only line of defense against the chaos and darkness of unlicensed flower-arranging, then why are 49 other states getting along just fine without people like Strain and the bureaucrats he oversees?