Ißortlanb OObserucr August 3. 2011 Page 9 H ra i TH Seattle Adopts Medical Pot Rules I A H ealth In su ran ce A V 'C ilU ll A x VIA 1 ir * A n c in fr Brings a il licensing system for distribution R n tlO Ç S eattle’s m ayor has signed into law a licensing system for medical m arijuana dis tribution, w ith the city's at torney vow ing to show that pot regulation can be done "safely and hu m anely." S e a ttle M a y o r M ik e M cG inn, in a 40-m inute sign ing cerem ony on T hursday, said that licensed m edical m arijuana sup pliers m ust com ply w ith city codes that govern everything from public nuisance com plaints to plum bing and food-han dling. T he C ity C ouncil passed the ordinance unanim ously on July 19, nearly three m onths after W ashington's governor signed into law a statew ide m easure allow ing cities to regulate and license p ro duction, processing and d istrib u tio m edical m ari duction, processing and d istrib u tio n o n f o m f edical m ari- ju a n a on a lim ited basis. T he state statute required storefront dispensaries and m edical pot suppliers to reorganize as sm all, cooperative ventures that serve up to 10 patients. C a lle d " c o lle c tiv e g a rd e n s," these businesses may grow as m any as 45 plants, but no m ore than 15 p er person. A lth o u g h c a n n a b is is listed as an illegal narcotic under federal law , 15 states, including O regon, and the D is trict o f C olum bia have statutes d e crim inalizing m arijuana as a m edical treatm ent, according to the N ational D rug Policy A lliance. Pot w as first legalized as m edicine in W ashington un der a 1988 voter-approved in itia tive. The law signed by Gov. C hristine G regoire this year w as designed by supporters to bring greater order to a burgeoning m edical m ariju an a supply chain that critics say had gotten out o f hand. ■Ml H ealth W \ rc H H eart T alk S u pport G rou p - M eets on the second M onday o f each m onth; fro m 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For m ore inform ation, call 503-251 -6260. Fam ilies w ith M ental Illness — A free, 12-w eek course for people w hose fam ily m em bers live w ith m ental illness is o ffered at Em anuel H ospital, Mt. H ood M edical C en ter and Providence M edical Center. T he course has been described as “life-changing” by form er partici pants. R egistration is required by calling 503-203-3326. C h o le ste ro l P ro file s - G et the resources to help you keep an eye on y our cholesterol and other indicators o f heart health. E ducational m aterial provided. For m ore inform ation, call 503-261-6611. B e re a v e m e n t S u p p o r t G ro u p s -- Free, safe confidential group m eet ings for those w ho have experien ced the death o f a loved one offered on various nights and locations. For inform ation and registration, call 503-215-4622. M atern ity W ater W orkout - H elping new m om s regain m uscle tone, strength, and flexibility, all in the support and freedom o f the w ater. Call 503-256-4000 for m ore inform ation. Advertise with diversity ill ^ P o r tla n d Observer Call 505288-0033 ads ©portlandobse rver.com JL O Hike Lowered Local lawmaker to keep up call for fairness Additionally, Regence had built into its rate request a 1.1 per cent profit, which DCBS found unnecessary given that the company's current profits are healthy. State Rep. Chip Shields, represent The Oregon Depart ing north and north ment of Consumer and east Portland, of Business Services has fered a package of rejected a 22.1 percent bills in the recent health insurance rate Legislative session increase request from that would have ad R egence B lueC ross _________ _ dressed spiraling in BlueShield and instead C h ip S h ie ld s surance rate hikes, approved a 12.8 per but he said they cent increase. were scuttled with opposition The increase affects about by the insurance lobby. 59,000 customers who buy in- Shields said he was encour- dividual health plans directly aged that the Insurance Divi- from Regence. It is an aver- sion was listening to the small age, meaning some Regence business people who testified members will see greater or about the Regence increase, lesser increases in their Sep- He said he will reintroduce tember bills. even tougher legislation next The department disagreed year and promises to monitor with Regence's estimates of the Insurance Division to make future claims costs, including the health insurance rate re- some reform costs under the view process fairer and more federal Affordable Care Act. transparent. Mt Take Action Get Tested S en ior A erob ics — A low -im pact w orkout geared specifically tow ard seniors. C all 503-449-0783 for current schedule. M u ltn o m a h C ounty Health D epartm ent's | j HIV Community Test Site offers confidential HIV testing | with or without your name | at these locations: O steop orosis S creen in g — A n ultrasound bone density screening w ith personalized education; fee $30. T o schedule an appointm ent, call 503-261-6611. I M ind B ody H ealth C lass - Learn and practice techniques to help you im prove y our m ood, health and w ellbeing, including effective w ays to m anage difficult em otions and chronic stress or illness. R egistration is $70 for K aiser P erm anente m em bers and $95 for nonm em bers. C all 503- 286-6816. Downtown Community Test Site Call 503.988.3775 for an appt. Mon |Thurs | Fri 426 SW Stark St., 6th Floor, Portland, 97204 R ed C ross C ertification — The O regon T rail C hapter R ed C ross now offers credits to helps professionals m aintain licensing or certification. For a cum ulative list, visit pdxin fo .n et. W eight L oss H elp - T ake O ff Pounds Sensibly (T O PS) m eetings are held every W ednesday from 8:45 to 10 a.m . at the H ollyw ood Senior C enter, 1820 N.E. 40th A ve. A nyone interested is invited to visit and learn m ore. For details, call 503-287-0731. Strok e A lert S creen in g — C heck y o u r carotid arteries w ith a painless ultrasound to assess y o u r risk. Fee $40. T o schedule a screening, call 503-251-6137. Northeast Health Center Just walk in I Tuesdays | 5:30 - 7:15 pm 5329 NE MLK Jr. Blvd, 2nd Floor,) Portland, 97211 | with this coupon” C ardiac-R ehab E xercises — A m edically supervised exercise program for people dealing with heart conditions. For inform ation, call 503-251 -6260. P Public revin» Prew Health iAt* h»'»r Department | | | | Se habla español: other interpretation by appointm ent. j