Cookie Policy

Last Updated: February 24, 2026

1. What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit our website. They help us provide you with a better experience by remembering your preferences and understanding how you use our site.

2. How We Use Cookies

We use cookies for the following purposes:

3. Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies

Cookie Name Purpose Duration
dispensary.sid Session management and user authentication 7 days
vote_tracking Prevents duplicate voting on dispensary rankings 24 hours
cookie_consent Stores your cookie preferences 1 year

Analytics Cookies (Requires Consent)

Cookie Name Purpose Duration
_ga Google Analytics - Distinguishes unique users 2 years
_ga_* Google Analytics 4 - Maintains session state 2 years
_gid Google Analytics - Distinguishes users 24 hours
_gat Google Analytics - Throttles request rate 1 minute

4. Third-Party Cookies & Scripts

We use the following third-party services that may set cookies or collect data. All third-party analytics and tracking scripts require your explicit consent before loading.

Google Analytics (GA4)

We use Google Analytics to analyze website traffic and user behavior. Google Analytics sets cookies on your device to collect information about how you use our website. This information is used to:

Google Analytics anonymizes your IP address using SHA-256 hashing to protect your privacy. For more information about how Google uses data, visit Google's Privacy Policy.

Ahrefs Analytics

We use Ahrefs Analytics for SEO performance monitoring. This script only loads when you have given analytics consent. Ahrefs may collect page view data and browsing information. See Ahrefs Privacy Policy.

EmbedSocial (Instagram Feed)

We use EmbedSocial to display our Instagram feed in the website footer. This widget only loads when you have given performance consent. EmbedSocial may collect browsing data when the widget is active. See EmbedSocial Privacy Policy.

Google Fonts

We use Google Fonts for typography. When fonts are loaded, your IP address is sent to Google's servers. This is necessary for the website to display correctly. See Google's Privacy Policy.

5. Your Cookie Choices

You have several options for managing cookies:

Through Our Cookie Banner

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner where you can:

You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our footer.

Through Your Browser

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

Note: Blocking essential cookies may affect website functionality, including the ability to vote on dispensary rankings or access personalized features.

Browser-Specific Instructions

6. Google Analytics Opt-Out

You can prevent Google Analytics from collecting your data by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

7. Do Not Track Signals

Our website respects "Do Not Track" (DNT) browser settings. When DNT is enabled, we will not load analytics cookies and will limit data collection to essential functionality only.

8. Cookie Updates

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page indicates when the policy was last modified.

9. International Users

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), United Kingdom, or other regions with data protection laws, you have additional rights regarding your personal data:

10. Children's Privacy

Our website is not intended for individuals under 21 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you are under 21, please do not use this website or provide any information.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us at:

Manage Your Cookie Preferences

Click the button below to review and update your cookie consent settings at any time.