Mixson v. Louisiana Horticulture Commission

It Shouldn’t Be Illegal to Sell Flowers Without a License in Louisiana

The Story
After the tragic loss of her daughter, Angele Mixson found solace and a renewed sense of purpose in the art of floristry. What began as a personal project to adorn her daughter’s gravesite blossomed into a passion and a potential career path. Angele, self-taught and skilled in flower arranging, aspired to turn this passion into a profession. However, she encountered an unexpected obstacle: Louisiana’s unique and restrictive florist licensing laws. As the only state in the U.S. that requires florists to obtain a license through a costly and challenging examination, Louisiana placed a significant barrier between Angele and her dream.

Determined to challenge these arbitrary restrictions, Angele partnered with the Pelican Institute for Public Policy to file a lawsuit against the Louisiana Horticulture Commission, aiming to defend her right to earn a living through floristry and, by extension, challenge the state’s approach to occupational licensing. This legal action contends that the requirements infringe upon constitutional rights, including those protected by the Due Process, Equal Protection, and Privileges or Immunities Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. The case highlights the broader issues of economic freedom, the right to engage in one’s chosen profession, and the significance of artistic expression in the face of restrictive occupational licensing laws.

This case is emblematic of a larger fight for economic freedom and the right to pursue one’s passion and profession without unnecessary governmental interference. Angele Mixson’s journey from grieving mother to advocate for floristry freedom underscores the importance of challenging occupational licensing laws that serve as barriers to entry in professions where such stringent requirements are unwarranted.