A ballot initiative submitted by Warren Citizens for Common Sense that seeks to repeal the city’s recreational cannabis ordinance will not appear on the Aug. 5 ballot according to Warren City Clerk Sonja Buffa.

The petition was submitted to Buffa’s office on April 29 and according to a statement from WCFCS contained more than 3,200 signatures of registered Warren voters. Buffa said after a thorough examination, it was determined that the petition did not meet the required threshold.

“The submitted petitions contained 252 fewer valid signatures than necessary and therefore, does not qualify for placement on the ballot in the upcoming regular election,” Buffa said in a statement.

Under Michigan law, such a petition must include at least 2,504 valid signatures, which represents five percent of the votes cast for governor in the most recent gubernatorial election by qualified electors in Warren.

In March, the Warren City Council approved a new marijuana ordinance that allows for unlimited recreational cannabis licenses.

Warren City Council attorney Jeffrey Schroder said at the time the ordinance was approved that with the zoning restrictions in place and the current cannabis market conditions, he is not expecting a plethora of marijuana dispensaries in the city. Marijuana dispensaries are allowed only in areas that are specifically zoned for that purpose.

Warren Citizens for Common Sense treasurer Christopher Shafou said while there have been multiple ballot proposals statewide asking voters to approve recreational cannabis facilities, he believes this may be the first petition drive aimed at repealing an ordinance passed by a city council.

“There is considerable opposition to unlimited pot shops in Warren,” Shafou said. “We just want to give voters living here the right to decide on the future of this industry in Warren.”

WCFCS has the option of submitting another petition for a future election.