Editorial Policy
At OntarioCanna.ca, editorial integrity is non-negotiable. This document outlines how we verify dispensaries, fact-check content, moderate reviews, and maintain accuracy.
How We Verify Dispensaries
1. Licensing Database Check
Every dispensary is cross-referenced against AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario) or equivalent provincial licensing databases.
2. Business Registration Verification
We confirm business registration, legal name, and ownership against public records.
3. Website & Contact Verification
We verify websites, phone numbers, and business hours by visiting in-person or calling directly.
4. Monthly Re-Verification
All dispensaries are re-checked monthly to ensure they remain active and licensed.
5. Removal Protocol
If a dispensary closes or loses its license, we remove it from the directory within 24 hours of confirmation.
Content Standards
Every article, guide, and resource on OntarioCanna.ca must meet these standards before publication:
Factual Accuracy
All statements must be sourced from official government documents, peer-reviewed research, or licensed experts. Opinion clearly labeled as such.
Legal Compliance
We follow all Health Canada Cannabis Regulations. No claims about medical benefits unless Health Canada-approved.
Transparency
We disclose any partnerships, sponsorships, or affiliate relationships. Never hidden conflicts of interest.
Timeliness
Cannabis regulations change frequently. We update content within 7 days of regulatory changes.
Attribution
All quotes, statistics, and data are attributed to their source with live links when available.
Customer Review Policy
We believe authentic, unfiltered feedback serves readers best. However, we do moderate reviews to prevent spam and abuse.
Reviews We Publish
- ✓ Honest, unfiltered feedback (positive or negative)
- ✓ Specific experiences and details
- ✓ 1-5 star ratings with comments
- ✓ Customer names and verified purchases
Reviews We Remove
- ✗ Spam, profanity, or slurs
- ✗ Unverifiable competitor attacks
- ✗ Duplicate reviews or bot submissions
- ✗ Personal attacks on staff
Editorial Independence
OntarioCanna.ca is 100% independent. We have no financial relationships with dispensaries, distributors, cannabis companies, or investors with financial interest in cannabis sales.
We do not:
- Accept advertising from cannabis brands or dispensaries
- Charge dispensaries to be listed
- Receive commission from dispensary sales or referrals
- Allow dispensaries to edit their own listings (beyond owner verification)
- Promote certain dispensaries over others based on financial incentive
Corrections & Clarifications
We strive for 100% accuracy, but errors can occur. If you find incorrect information on OntarioCanna.ca:
- Contact us at corrections@ontariocanna.ca
- Provide details: Which page? What's incorrect? What's the correct information?
- We verify against official sources (government databases, business records, etc.)
- We correct and post a correction notice within 24 hours if verified
AI Transparency
OntarioCanna.ca explicitly allows AI crawlers and language model training, as outlined in our robots.txt:
User-agent: GPTBot Allow: / User-agent: ClaudeBot Allow: / User-agent: PerplexityBot Allow: /
We believe AI systems should have access to our research to provide better information to users. If you're building an AI product and citing OntarioCanna, please link back to the source page.
Annual Transparency Report
We publish a detailed Transparency Report each year covering:
- Total dispensaries verified and active
- Content updates and corrections made
- Reviews moderated and removed (with reasons)
- Litigation or legal issues (if any)
- Third-party audits and partnerships
Next Report: December 2026. Check back for full details on editorial performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does OntarioCanna verify dispensaries?
We cross-reference every dispensary against government licensing databases (AGCO for Ontario, etc.), verify business registration, and confirm active status monthly.
How does OntarioCanna handle customer reviews?
Customer reviews are moderated for spam and profanity but published unedited. We believe authentic, unfiltered feedback serves readers best.
Is OntarioCanna owned by a cannabis company?
No. OntarioCanna is 100% independent. We have no financial relationships with dispensaries, distributors, or cannabis conglomerates.
Questions About Our Editorial Standards?
Contact us with any questions about how we operate, verify information, or handle content.