At last I checked, in CA where I am currently residing Herbal Practitioners are recognized as legitimate health care practitioners. Unless FDA regulations override this, it seems to me as though we are not actually "breaking the law." I am not sure, but I am enclosing a copy of the bill that was passed here to protect alternative health practitioners.
January 1, 2003: The dawn of a new era...
On September 23, 2002, history was made in California. With the unanimous support of the legislature, Governor Davis signed into law SB-577, sponsored by the California Health Freedom Coalition (CHFC) and authored by Senator John Burton.
As of January 1, 2003, California law now recognizes the professional legitimacy of alternative and complementary health care practitioners and healers allowing them, for the first time, to be able to legally provide and advertise their services in California.
As Governor Davis noted, SB-577 "will ease access to alternative and complementary health care options for all Californians." He also stated that "the bill provides adequate safeguards for California consumers and enables them to make an informed choice regarding their personal health care."
With the implementation of this legislation, CHFC now moves from advocacy (getting the bill passed) to implementation (educating health care practitioners and consumers about the new law). While you can still read about how we got the bill passed, this web site will now focus on providing resources and support to those practicing and those receiving unlicensed health care services in California. Click on one of the links below for more information.
http://www.californiahealthfreedom.com/californiah/htdocs/I do not have the time required to devote to this, however you may want to check your local laws to arm yourself and be prepared for future reference.
I began receiving letters from Etsy yesterday, and have so far deactivated about 100 of my listings. I am also in the process of doing a temporary update until I am able to go back and rewrite accurate acceptable descriptions.
I know that there are some bad feelings toward Etsy regarding this recent violation of our constitutional right of freedom of speech as well as freedom of religion, however I would love to see a strong presence of herbal practitioners remain here on Etsy.
We have been put under a microscope and suppressed for centuries. Look upon this my sisters as a small obstacle, which will allow us to show our worth as a legitimate, viable, necessary part of society.
Running with our tails between our legs or acting our defiantly will most likely not serves us well. There is a grander issue here than Etsy's suppression of an age old art. We as a unified group can stand tall, work around these guidelines, viewing them for the uncomfortable nuisance that they are and prove our worth.
