Editorial Policy

Cannabis News UK is committed to producing journalism that is accurate, fair, independent, and accountable. Trust is the foundation of our relationship with our readers, and this policy outlines the ethical standards and principles that guide our work.

1. Our Guiding Principles

Our mission is to provide impartial, fact-based news and analysis on the cannabis industry and its surrounding legislative landscape. All our editorial content is guided by the following core principles:

• Accuracy: We strive for precision in our reporting and are committed to verifying all information before publication.
• Independence: Our editorial decisions are free from the influence of advertisers, investors, or any political or commercial interests.
• Impartiality & Fairness: We are committed to presenting all sides of a story and providing subjects of our reporting a fair opportunity to respond.
• Accountability: We hold ourselves accountable to our readers and are transparent in our corrections when we make mistakes.

2. Accuracy and Corrections Policy

We take great care to ensure the factual accuracy of our content. Our journalists are expected to use primary sources and cross-verify information wherever possible. However, we acknowledge that errors can occur.

If we publish a factual error, we will correct it promptly and transparently. Substantive corrections or clarifications will be noted at the top or bottom of the article to ensure readers are aware of the change. To report a potential error, please contact our editorial team via the details on our Contact Us page.

3. Independence and Transparency

Cannabis News UK maintains a strict firewall between our editorial operations and our commercial activities. Our journalists and editors make decisions based solely on journalistic merit, without regard to any commercial, political, or personal interests.

Any content that has been funded or produced in partnership with an external party, such as sponsored content or advertising features, will be clearly and unambiguously labelled as such to distinguish it from our independent editorial content.

4. Reporting on a Sensitive Subject

We recognise our responsibility when reporting on cannabis, a Class B drug in the United Kingdom. Our policy is to report on its use, legal status, and industry in a manner that is objective and informative, not promotional.

• We are committed to using precise, non-sensationalist language.
• Our reporting will always distinguish clearly between legally prescribed medicinal cannabis and cannabis used or supplied outside the bounds of UK law.
• Our content is for informational purposes and must never be interpreted as promoting or encouraging any illegal activity, in accordance with our Terms of Service.

5. Sourcing and Anonymity

We believe in transparency and strive to use named sources in our reporting. However, we recognise that in a sensitive field like cannabis journalism, sources may require anonymity to protect themselves from legal or professional repercussions. We will grant anonymity only when a source's information is credible and of significant public interest, and when we have taken steps to corroborate the information.

6. Distinguishing News from Opinion

We are committed to clearly distinguishing between straight news reporting and opinion pieces. Articles that represent the personal viewpoint of an author, rather than the institutional voice of Cannabis News UK, will be clearly labelled as "Opinion" or "Analysis".

7. Accountability and Feedback

We value feedback from our readers and believe it is essential for maintaining our standards. If you have a concern or complaint about any of our editorial content, please contact us directly so we can address it. Our commitment to accountability is central to our mission and our relationship with you.