COLUMBUS, Ohio — Tax revenue from recreational marijuana could benefit police under a new proposal at the statehouse. A Republican lawmaker introduced legislation that would use a portion of the money made from recreational marijuana to fund law enforcement training.

It’s the first official proposal that has addressed recreational marijuana ever since voters approved Issue 2. 

State Rep. Cindy Abrams is a former police officer and said her goal is to always look for sustainable funding for Ohio’s law enforcement officers. Abrams told a pool of reporters on Tuesday the revenue from recreational marijuana could add to the grand revenue fund already in place for officers.

She said law enforcement risks their lives in the line of duty each day and they deserve to have the best training available. Abrams said her goal is to put $40 million toward law enforcement training by 2025 using the money made from recreational marijuana tax revenue.

"Our first responders are going to be the ones who ultimately respond to the fatal car crash or the auto accident with injuries or any plethora of 911 calls that are going to come in related to fill in the blank you're impaired," Abrams said.

"I think there's still a lot of work that needs to be done on her proposal," said House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington. "You know, we all put forward bills and then the committee process works its way. As it works its way through the committee process, and they are usually changes to that." 

Abrams explained any revenue beyond the $40 million she wants for police training would be up to the general assembly to spend. 

"Whether that's the prosecutors or local law enforcement, we had there are issues with funding local law enforcement, funding county jails that don't have a funding stream," said House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill). "In my mind, it makes sense to have this new revenue directed to certain things."