License suspensions in Ohio no longer required for some drug charges

CLEVELAND (AP) — A new state law has given judges in Ohio discretion over whether to suspend the driver’s license of someone convicted of a drug offense that doesn’t involve impaired driving.

The law, which the Legislature passed earlier this year, took effect today. Prior law had called for mandatory suspensions of between six months and five years for all drug convictions, including minor-misdemeanor citations for possessing small amounts of marijuana or drug paraphernalia.

State Sen. Bill Seitz sponsored the measure. The Cincinnati Republican said fewer drug-related license suspensions will help Ohioans obtain jobs or maintain employment.

Judge Joy Malek Oldfield of Akron Municipal Court said she welcomes having discretion in sentencing and that she’ll no longer suspend licenses for drug offenses unless they involve a person driving.