[robertpaulsen]

"The commerce clause, concerning regulating commerce "among the several states" was meant to encourage free trade, not prohibit commerce.."

Sure. At the time, that was the primary concern.

But the courts have ruled that "to regulate" includes "to ban". As early as 1884, Congress banned the interstate shipments of infected cattle.

[Drammach]

Thanks for that info..

Any references you have on the commerce clause and it's history would be appreciated..

I will readily admit, I don't know a lot about it, and what I remember is some 40 years old, from elementary and high school history classes..
I have found the commercel clause doesn't come up very often during normal social converstations.