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Editorial Policy & Standards

Editorial Policy & Standards

At The Marijuana Herald, our goal is to provide factual, timely, and accessible reporting on marijuana laws, research, business, culture, and more. We serve readers in all 50 states and over 150 countries,  with coverage that is fact-based and data-driven.

How We Source Our Content

  • Official Documents: Much of our reporting comes directly from state and federal government releases, legislative filings, regulatory agencies, and court documents. When we cite these materials, we hyperlink to the document, typically within the opening lines of the article.

  • Peer-Reviewed Research: Coverage of medical and scientific findings is based on studies published in academic, peer-reviewed journals, and we always link to the actual study (if you stumble upon an article where this is not the case, please e-mail us at info@themarijuanaherald.com).

  • Direct Statements: We include quotes from lawmakers, industry leaders, advocates, and researchers as they are presented in public testimony, press releases, or interviews. Quotes are never altered.

  • Industry Data: Sales figures, tax revenue, and licensing statistics are pulled from state regulators, cannabis commissions, and industry reports.

Fact-Checking and Accuracy

All articles are cross-checked against original sources before publication. Statistics and figures are verified with official releases or confirmed through multiple reputable outlets. When corrections are required, they are clearly noted at the top or bottom of the article with a bolded “Editor’s Note”.

Use of Anonymous Sources

We sometimes use anonymous sources when reporting on sensitive issues, such as information provided by legislative staff, government employees, or others who could face professional or personal consequences if identified.

Anonymous sources must have direct knowledge of the information they provide. While we always verify their role (for example, confirming that a quoted individual is actually a Senate staffer), we cannot always independently verify every claim they make. When possible, we corroborate these details with documents, public records, or additional sources before publication.

Whenever anonymity is granted, we make clear to readers that the source’s identity is being withheld, and that we can’t independently verify the claims. This balance allows us to report information of public importance while still protecting individuals who may otherwise be unable to share it.

Transparency

  • Sponsored content is always labelled with a “Sponsored Post” tag.

  • We separate opinion or analysis pieces from straight news coverage by clearly labelling op-eds, ensuring readers can distinguish between the two.

  • If there’s an  error in our reporting, we quickly admit our mistake and correct it.

Conflict of Interest

We maintain strict editorial independence. Our reporting is not influenced by advertisers, sponsors, political organizations, or advocacy groups. Editorial decisions are made solely by the Editor-in-Chief and Content Strategist.

To avoid conflicts of interest, we do not hold financial positions in any cannabis stocks or related companies. This ensures that our reporting on business, market trends, and industry developments remains unbiased and credible.

Writers are required to disclose any personal or professional connections that could create a conflict with the subject of their reporting. If such a conflict exists, the individual will not participate in coverage of that topic.

Our commitment is to provide readers with trustworthy, independent reporting that is free from hidden financial or political influence.

Updating Content

Articles are rarely, but sometimes updated as new information becomes available. When a significant change is made, we add a note at the bottom of the article with the date of the update. Minor edits, such as correcting typos or improving clarity, may be made without a formal note. Our goal is to ensure that readers always have access to the most accurate and up-to-date information possible.

Our Editorial Standards

  • Neutral Tone: Despite being a cannabis-focused news website, we strive to report facts without clear bias and avoid sensationalism.

  • AP Style: We follow Associated Press style guidelines to maintain consistency and professionalism, while taking occasional liberties to improve clarity, flow, or readability for our audience.