If you haven’t heard, back in January, the state of North Carolina tried to shut down a Paleo blogger by the name of Steve Cooksey (Diabetes-Warrior.net). Steve was being investigated for telling his blog followers about his journey from being an obese, sedentary, diabetic to a more healthy individual. He offered suggestions (paid health advice) about diet and exercise that might help others in the same situation and he was doing it without a license.
To avoid being taken to court, Steve made changes to his website that were in “substantial compliance” with N.C. law and they shut down the investigation.
However, Steve decided to take it upon himself and fight for free speech and internet free speech. Just think of how many places we get or share advice from everyday on Twitter, blogs, Facebook, websites, etc.! A few days ago, Steve joined forces with the Institute for Justice and filed a lawsuit challenging the occupational licensing laws on constitutional grounds.
This is clip from the press release:
Arlington, Va.—Can the government throw you in jail for offering advice on the Internet about what people should buy at the grocery store?
That is exactly the claim made by the North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition. And that is why today diabetic blogger Steve Cookseyof Stanley, N.C. has teamed up with the Institute for Justice (IJ) to file a major First Amendment lawsuit against the State Board in federal court.”
John Durant of the Hunter-Gatherer website has offered these additional links and video on the case:
And here’s a great video on the absurdity of most occupational licensing around the country. The vast majority of it just defends existing special interests from competition.
Posted on June 2, 2012
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