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In a move to ensure Ohio law enforcement has the best training available, State Representative and former police officer Cindy Abrams recently introduced legislation that would use $80 million in tax revenue generated from the sale of adult-use marijuana to fund police officer training.
The proposal aims to direct the first $40 million in annual adult-use marijuana tax revenue over the next two years to establish a Law Enforcement Assistance Fund dedicated to training.
Speaking at a press conference on November 14, Abrams addressed the need for a consistent funding stream for law enforcement training, stating that the recent passage of Ohio’s Issue 2 holds a crucial public safety component.
Abrams, who served as a police officer in Cincinnati, underlined the importance of well-trained personnel in ensuring public safety.
“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 9-1-1 calls that are going to come in related to fill in the blank you’re impaired,” she said. “Training saves lives. Every one of our law enforcement officers should have access to quality training, and this bill will ensure this is Ohio’s reality with sustainable funding.”
Abrams also stressed how training sets officers up for success, enhances public safety and strengthens community relations.
Prior to the introduction of the legislation, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called for additional funding strategies to support police training, especially for smaller agencies.
Abrams’ proposal aims to capitalize on Ohio’s Issue 2, the state’s new marijuana possession law that was approved by Ohio voters on November 7.
Issue 2 legalizes the possession of a small amount of marijuana for adults aged 21 and over, and permits the sale of marijuana exclusively through regulated dispensaries, with a 10% tax imposed on each purchase. As originally outlined by Issue 2, tax revenues were slated to be distributed as follows: 3% for regulatory efforts, 25% for a substance abuse and addiction services fund and 36% each for a fund aiding minority or disadvantaged business owners in the marijuana industry and revenue for local governments where recreational businesses operate.
The proposed measure by Abrams addresses the allocation of tax revenue from adult-use marijuana specifically toward law enforcement training.
If the bill is enacted, the first step would be the establishment of the Law Enforcement Assistance Fund, with the objective of directing $40 million annually for training by 2025.
However, discussions are ongoing among legislators regarding the allocation of tax revenues, with House Democrats expressing skepticism about finalizing the plan before the law takes effect on December 7.
Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens, on the other hand, preferred a swift resolution, noting the potential benefits of directing new revenue streams to specific needs, such as law enforcement training.
While the regulatory framework for the legal sale of recreational marijuana is not anticipated until mid-2024 at the earliest, Abrams’ proposal marks a significant step in the ongoing conversation surrounding the allocation of tax revenue from marijuana sales and its potential impact on law enforcement training in the state of Ohio.
The bill awaits further discussion and scrutiny as it goes through the legislative process.
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