Mass. Drug Offenders Could Retain Drivers’ Licenses Under Bill

Convicted drug offenders would no longer have their driver’s licenses automatically suspended, under a bill the Massachusetts Senate unanimously approved Thursday.

State law currently requires mandatory suspension of a person’s driver’s license for up to five years when that person is convicted of a drug crime, even if the violation was unrelated to driving. Supporters of the bill say the existing law only makes it harder for offenders to keep their jobs and care for their families after they’ve served their sentences.

Mass. Drug Offenders Could Retain Drivers’ Licenses Under Bill

Hello folks,

It appears we have some good news here is MA when it comes to the [never-ending] war on drugs. Under current law, someone convicted of a drug crime would typically lose their license for up to five years, regardless of whether or not you were driving a vehicle or not!

The measure would keep in place, however, license suspension penalties for those convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The bill, which has the support of Attorney General Maura Healey, now heads to the House.

Thirty-four states have eliminated provisions automatically suspending driver’s licenses for drug offenses. In Massachusetts, the driver’s licenses of about 7,000 people are suspended each year for drug crimes, even if the offenses don’t involve a car.

So, even if you are sitting somewhere in public, on a bike, at work, buying some McDonald's, you face the possibility of losing your license for a drug offense.

Let's just hope that the House and new Republican governor (Charlie Baker) OK this bill.

a reply to: charolais

I tend to agree.

Driver's licenses are a necessity to improve one's lot in life, bit it financial or getting to a less tempting environment.

There may be some advantage in having a kid scared about losing his driving privileges if he indulges. Perhaps it might be an option for repeat offenders....

a reply to: charolais

Yes, you can keep your license because you'll need it to pay the newly inflated fines and fees.

State nullification, CO does it, why can't MA?

This just sounds like legislative masterbation and it clearly does not address the problem of criminalized self-medication.

Holy crap suspended for 5 years?!

I don't take to much issue with the DUI part, don't drink and drive or drive impaired in anyway. Though would say 5 years is a little steep there too.

Green would you say it is at least a step forward though? I get what you are saying and agree, but at least they are taking the steps closer to that.

originally posted by: greencmp

This just sounds like legislative masterbation and it clearly does not address the problem of criminalized self-medication.

This is true but at least it's a step in the right direction. Or perhaps correcting a previous bad step that should never of been taken to start with.

Sometimes you have to baby step these things in order to get going in the right direction. It's like controlling a herd. To get everyone going in the same direction still requires moving some cows individually.

originally posted by: mOjOm

originally posted by: greencmp

This just sounds like legislative masterbation and it clearly does not address the problem of criminalized self-medication.

This is true but at least it's a step in the right direction. Or perhaps correcting a previous bad step that should never of been taken to start with.

Sometimes you have to baby step these things in order to get going in the right direction. It's like controlling a herd. To get everyone going in the same direction still requires moving some cows individually.

I agree with you on this one.. it's a step in the right direction. There are still a large percentage of people who see the problem with drugs as a "thug" problem and that every drug user is a murdering, raping, pillaging criminal who only seeks to cause harm to society and who deserve 30 years in prison... and these are the type of people who are going to be hard pressed to budge on the issue. But, in all reality many drug users are people who got caught up in a substance and are now hooked to it (opiates for example) or like others here have said - self medication.

a reply to: charolais

Yeah. Most of those complainers are usually popping their meds all day long while pointing their finger at some pot smoker too which is irritating. They take their pills to wake up or go to sleep or get a boner or for their back pain or whatever and never think twice about it because it came from a professional drug dealer with a phd.

Another big government failure!

a reply to: charolais

I can't even believe Massachusetts even did this in the first place... How barbaric...

a reply to: rupertg

I see what you did there!

Big ole HUGE MASSIVE flop.