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It's a war of the roses in federal court
Four florists are taking the Department of Agriculture to court for demanding they pass a test before before they can work as a florist, or own a flower shop.
They say that this law seems unconstitutional and archaic and they believe that the real reason it exists smells like anything but roses.
With their delicate handwork and their creative minds, these florists, at Mitch's Flowers, have grown their passion into an eleven year career.
"I'm not wiring these pieces of green together because it's illegal."
She isn't getting, her business is illegal.
"It is breaking the law, however, because they can come and shut me down if I don't have a licensed florist working here."
Louisiana is the only state in the nation that requires a license through the Horticulture Commission
But to get that license she has to take this test, that requires her to know how many different bows there are.
"Hello?! Who cares?"
Attorney, Timothy Keller, says this law is not necessary to protect consumers.
It's more like a weed trying to kill the flower business of future florists.
"There is no legitimate reason for the government to dictate who can, and who cannot engage in the business of flower arranging...
...especially when they give your future competition the authority to keep you out."
So this morning, there was a special delivery to Federal Court
by four florists, suing the Horticulture Commission.
They showed up with their arrangements, challenging, what they believe, is an unconstitutional arrangement of cronies.
"It's all political, in that, you have to know someone to be able to pass the test."
This florist has taken it twice and failed, as has this florist with a Master's Degree from Tulane in Fine Arts.
"I thought I knew everything I needed to know, and I didn't, I didn't pass."
In the meantime, Monique Chauvin says she'll study the difference between greens and gardenias
"If it's pretty and it's appealing to the eye it shouldn't matter because it's a consumer and customer that's going to deem if you are worthy or not."
We contacted the Horticulture Commission and spoke with press secretary, Sam Irwin, who said they would have a response before five o'clock
but Eyewitness News has not heard from them yet.