Last updated: September 30, 2026
Who we are and what this policy covers
The Cannabis Community (TCC) is operated by AV Social Strategies (“we,” “us,” or “our”). This policy explains how we handle information through thecannabiscommunity.org, its community and business-directory features, contact forms, and newsletter. For privacy questions or requests, email social@thecannabiscommunity.org with “Privacy request” in the subject.
Our merchandise store, medical-provider partners, social platforms, and other linked services have their own privacy notices. Review the notice presented by the service you use, including the Shopify-powered TCC store.
Information we collect
- Messages: your name, email address, subject, message, and information you choose to include when contacting us. Messages may be stored in our website inbox and recipient mailboxes. Sending a contact message does not subscribe you to our newsletter.
- Directory and account information: account identifiers, contact details, profile and business-listing information, saved businesses, messages, reviews, and other information you submit through available features.
- Newsletter information: your email address, any optional details you provide, subscription and consent records, and delivery and engagement information made available by our email service.
- Technical information: IP address, browser and device information, pages viewed, referral information, timestamps, and information from cookies or similar technologies used by the services on a page.
- Location: locations entered in directory searches and approximate location inferred from technical information. A browser location feature may request your permission before accessing device location.
Business listings, public profiles, comments, and reviews may be visible to other visitors and search engines. Do not include information you want to keep private in public fields. Please do not send medical records, identification documents, payment-card details, or other sensitive information through general contact forms. TCC is not a medical-provider intake service.
How we use information
We use information to respond to requests, operate accounts and directory features, publish submitted content, send requested newsletters, maintain subscription preferences, improve content and site usability, measure website and advertising activity, prevent spam and abuse, secure the service, and meet legal obligations. Newsletter subscribers can unsubscribe using the link in each marketing email.
Services, advertising, and disclosures
We use service providers for hosting, website operation, email, security, spam filtering, maps, analytics, and advertising. Services currently identified on TCC include WP Engine, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, Google Maps, Google reCAPTCHA, Akismet, and MANTIS advertising. Which services receive information depends on the page and feature used. Google Tag Manager helps manage website tags; the tags it loads may collect information.
Information needed to provide these services may be processed by the provider. For example, anti-spam services may process form or comment information and technical signals. Google services may receive page URLs, IP addresses, and cookie information. See Google’s explanation of data from partner sites and Automattic’s notice covering Akismet.
Advertising services may collect browsing and device information to deliver or measure advertisements and, depending on configuration and choices, personalize them. Some privacy laws treat certain advertising disclosures as a “sale,” “sharing,” or targeted advertising even where no money is exchanged for the information. Contact us to exercise applicable privacy rights. We do not describe advertising data flows as exempt merely because we do not sell a contact list.
We may also disclose information when legally required, to protect rights and prevent fraud, or in connection with a business transfer such as a merger or acquisition, subject to applicable law. Service providers may process information in the United States or other countries where they operate.
Cookies and your choices
Use the Cookie Preferences control available on the website to review categories, reject optional cookies or change a previous choice. Essential functions such as security and sign-in may remain active. Your preference is stored for 30 days in the browser where you make it; clearing cookies or using another browser or device may require a new choice.
Statistics and Marketing settings govern the optional measurement and advertising services managed by our consent controls. Some measurement tags share an advertising container and require both permissions before they load. Changing your choice affects future loading and does not delete information already received by a provider.
You can also restrict cookies in your browser, decline device-location permission, or contact us about applicable opt-out rights. Restricting cookies may affect some features. To opt out of disclosures that may qualify as sale, sharing or targeted advertising, turn off Marketing in Cookie Preferences and email social@thecannabiscommunity.org for any related request concerning records we hold. These controls do not limit rights provided by applicable law.
Embedded content, comments and uploads
Articles may include videos, maps or other content supplied by third parties. These services can receive technical information when their content loads or you interact with it; their own privacy notices apply. Privacy choices on TCC may not control every third-party service after you leave the website.
When you submit a comment or review, we may collect the submitted fields and technical signals for moderation and spam prevention. Approved contributions can be public. A hashed email identifier may be sent to Gravatar to display an associated profile image; see Automattic’s privacy notice. Remove private details and embedded location data from images before uploading them.
How long we keep information
- Contact inquiries: normally up to 24 months after the inquiry is resolved or the last related interaction. Records needed for an ongoing business relationship, a dispute, or a legal obligation may be retained longer for that purpose.
- Account information and private directory activity: while the account is active. Following a verified closure or deletion request, eligible information is deleted or anonymized from active systems within 90 days, or sooner when applicable law requires. We may retain limited information needed for security, fraud prevention, legal obligations, or resolving disputes.
- Inactive accounts: reviewed after 24 months without activity. Before closing an account solely for inactivity, we provide notice to its registered email address and at least 30 days to respond.
- Public business listings and editorial contributions: retained while they serve a legitimate directory or editorial purpose. Closing a user account does not necessarily remove independently maintained public business information or published editorial material. Contact us about correction, attribution, or removal requests.
- Newsletter information: retained while subscribed. After unsubscribe, marketing stops; limited suppression and consent records may be retained to respect your choice, prevent accidental resubscription, and meet legal requirements. Unsubscribe does not automatically delete every historical record.
Technical records and backups are retained for operational, security, and recovery needs under the relevant service’s settings. Backup copies may persist until normal rotation removes them and are not used to restart marketing or restore a closed account to active use. Legal holds may require longer retention of specific records. We review retained information periodically and remove or anonymize it when it is no longer needed.
Requests, rights, and security
Depending on applicable law, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or obtain a copy of personal information, withdraw consent, or opt out of certain processing. Send requests to social@thecannabiscommunity.org. We may request information reasonably necessary to verify your identity or an authorized representative. We respond within the period required by applicable law and explain any exception or denial, including available appeal rights. We do not penalize people for exercising applicable privacy rights.
We use reasonable administrative and technical safeguards and limit access according to operational need. No website, storage system, or transmission method can guarantee complete security. Our services are not directed to children under 13. If you believe a child has submitted personal information, contact us so we can investigate and address it.
Contact and review requests
Send privacy requests to social@thecannabiscommunity.org, operated by AV Social Strategies, with “Privacy request” in the subject. Please identify the relevant account or interaction and the action requested without sending unnecessary sensitive documents. If you disagree with a response, reply to request review; we will explain any applicable appeal process.
Changes
We may update this policy when our services or practices change. The date at the top identifies the current version. We provide additional notice or obtain consent when required by law.