Measure MB...or Measure V? It's a confusing case of alphabet soup in the November election, for two competing measures on pot shops.

On the local ballot, Manhattan Beach voters face Measure MB, to allow commercial cannabis retailers in Manhattan Beach; and Measure V, to reaffirm the city's existing ban.

Measure MB, a citizen-initiated initiative, would repeal Manhattan Beach's 2017 ban on commercial cannabis activity and compel the city to approve three cannabis retailers in Manhattan Beach, as well as permit other commercial cannabis activity. 

Measure V, a city-sponsored initiative, would reaffirm the existing ban on commercial cannabis activity. 

Both measures need a majority of votes (50% + 1) to pass. If they both pass, the measure with the greater number of votes will prevail. If neither gets a majority vote, the status quo will remain in effect (essentially, what Measure V proposes). 

Manhattan Beach City Council members expressed dismay at last week's meeting about the confusing lettering of the initiatives. (Sponsors may request three choices for the name of their initiative, but the county registrar assigns the name based on what is available if those choices have already been taken. "V" was assigned to the city because its other choices were taken.)

The first confusing point is that Measure MB has the same name as a parcel tax measure passed in 2018 that is still in effect. 

A second confusing point is that Measure MB sounds more like it would be the city-sponsored measure, but it is in fact Measure V that the city is backing.

The City Council on Tuesday night approved a resolution expressing support for Measure V. The vote was 4-0, with Councilmember Montgomery abstaining due to a potential conflict of interest.

Historical note: In 2016, Manhattan Beach residents voted 61%-39% in favor of the statewide Proposition 64 to legalize and regulate marijuana more like alcohol.

However, Manhattan Beach remains at best divided over whether to allow commercial cannabis sales in town. The City Council - and public commenters at their meetings - have been outspoken about maintaining the existing ban on cannabis sales.

A community group opposing Measure MB has created a web site at http://www.votenoonmb.com/.