Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett and Sheriff Jeff Easter spoke to the county commission about the Wichita City Council's decision Tuesday to exclude fentanyl test strips as drug paraphernalia and ending prosecution of marijuana possession cases.
The DA says the county will take a financial hit as they would need to hire an additional judge, 2-3 lawyers, a probation officer and extra staff at the Regional Forensic Science Center to handle the estimated 1200 additional marijuana possession cases.
He told commissioners his priority is prosecuting violent crimes like rape and murder.
Sheriff Easter says his officers haven't encountered the illegal fentanyl testing strips. While they won't arrest someone who possesses them, he also doesn't advocate a product that encourages illegal drug use.
The commission voted unanimously to direct county staff to study what additional costs the county will incur because of the city's action.