check_dict_or_str_to_dict.py

import ast

def dict_or_str(object: any):
  if type(object) is dict:
    print("I am DICT")
    return object

  elif type(object) is str:
    print ("I am Str")
    resp = False
    try:
      resp = ast.literal_eval(object)
    except:
      resp = False
    finally:
      return resp


a = dict_or_str("{'a' : 'lolz', 'foo' : 'kitty'}")
print(a.get('a'))
#I am Str
#lolz

b = dict_or_str({"b": "lolz"})
print(b.get('b'))
#I am DICT
# lolz