With retirement ahead by the end of the calendar year, Lyon County Attorney Marc Goodman reiterated longstanding concerns about drug enforcement policy during the KVOE Talk of Emporia on Friday.
For years, Goodman has said there is no good to come if the state legalizes marijuana to any extent — medical, recreational or both. He also says Lyon County will not follow the path set in places like Wichita, which he says has de-criminalized marijuana at the city court level, and the state of Missouri, which now lets people have up to three ounces of marijuana.
Goodman has also mentioned interconnections between drug use, marijuana and methamphetamine specifically, and other crimes like property, finances or physical violence.
When it comes to criminal activity in general, Goodman says marijuana and meth-related crimes remain at high levels. Fentanyl-related cases are increasing, albeit gradually. Overall, the County Attorney’s Office lodged 530 criminal cases in 2023, the first time since 2019 for at least 500 cases being filed.
12:15 pm Friday: Goodman announces plan to retire after 24 years as Lyon County Attorney
Marc Goodman has served as Lyon County’s lead prosecutor the last 24 years. He used the end of KVOE’s Talk of Emporia on Friday to officially announce he’s not seeking re-election.
Goodman says he’s pleased with the department’s efforts across the board, starting with diversity and underpinned every day, he says, with a pursuit of justice and fairness.
Goodman encourages his successor to continue the department’s work toward fairness to all, saying justice is deserved by all.
Goodman is the first Lyon County department head to announce the upcoming end of a career in county government. County Treasurer Sharon Gaede and Register of Deeds Wendy Weiss are on record filing for re-election.
The traditional primary election is Aug. 6, followed by the general election Nov. 5.
