If you're caught selling Palmetto Roses in South Carolina without a permit, you could be arrested.

That's what happened to one teen recently who was selling the roses on the side of the street. The roses are made by hand weaving fronds of the Palmetto Tree and it's illegal to sell them unless you're participating in a city artisan program.

That program makes the decision about who can sell the roses, during what hours they can sell them, and what location they can sell them from.

The arrest of the teenager has now made headlines and sparked debate over the issue surrounding the selling of Palemetto roses. Some who have gotten involved in the artisan program and who sell the roses regularly, credit the program with being a valuable resource for them and helping them to get their business off the ground and learn more about this space. But should people be forced to participate in this program before they can voluntarily exchange their roses with someone else who might be willing to pay for them?

When the police tried to arrest the teenager for selling without the appropriate permission, they allege that he resisted, he was eventually handcuffed and charged with illegally selling the roses and resisting arrest.. Thankfully, it didn't end-up with anyone losing their life; over some peaceful exchanges involving roses. Unfortunately, he isn't the first teenager to be confronted by the police for selling Palmetto roses, others have been arrested as well because they didn't have the right permit.

City officials allege that businesses in the downtown region had previously complained about the manner in which some children were going about their selling of the roses, and that's what supposedly prompted the creation of the artisan program that would be required, as well as having a peddler's permit, before anyone could lawfully sell. But now they say that the program might need to be adjusted.

Who are the children harming by selling roses, or water bottles, operating lemonade stands, or cutting grass?

They aren't forcing anyone to take their products or services, they are offering them peacefully. When various members of the community want to voluntarily exchange with those children or teens for their services or products, both parties are going to believe that they are better off at the end of the exchange, otherwise they wouldn't have made the exchange. It's time that officials adjusted their preference for having the police waste their attention and resources on cracking down on the many children and teens who are trying to learn about serving others and pursuing their own business endeavors.

Pics:
Pic1 - WCBD
Pic2 - pixabay