IJ has the records of one applicant who passed the exam only on her fifth try. On one of her failing tests, one judge gave her a perfect 10 for a wedding design, while three other judges gave her a zero. This makes the judging of Olympic figure skating look scientific by comparison.
One of the plaintiffs on whose behalf IJ is suing, a woman named Sandy Meadows, has failed the exam three times, although she has worked as a "floral clerk" -- assisting a licensed florist -- for nine years. A provision in the regulations says that a florist shop may, in dire circumstances, operate without a licensed florist for 90 days. Meadows recently took advantage of this loophole to fill in at a store in Baton Rouge that had lost its licensed florist. After the 90 days had expired, an inspector from the Louisiana Horticulture Commission arrived to order Meadows to trash the arrangements she had made that morning or face a $250 citation for -- yes -- practicing floristry without a license.
Honest people can disagree about the theory under which IJ argues such regulations are unconstitutional. But no one can defend these kinds of rules on the merits. Florists don't go into their line of work to get rich, but because they find it rewarding. They should be able to pursue it without state harassment. A band of warriors for liberty, IJ has recently helped open markets for cab drivers, hair-braiders, book vendors, casket sellers and vintners. May the florists of Louisiana be next, in a blow for commonsense and Flower Power.