Why Are Gooseberries Illegal?
Gooseberries are not illegal in all places, but in some states in the United States, they are banned due to their potential to spread a disease called white pine blister rust, which can have devastating effects on the timber industry. This disease affects white pines, which are important for lumber production, and gooseberries and other currant plants can act as an intermediary host for it. Therefore, in order to protect the industry, some states have prohibited the planting of gooseberry and currant bushes.