Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 1, 2025

At The Secret Garden, we understand that your privacy is important, especially when it comes to cannabis purchases. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and share your information when you visit our website or use our services. We're committed to being transparent about our practices while ensuring compliance with California cannabis regulations.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

When you create an account or place an order, we collect:

• Identity Verification: Legal name, date of birth, government-issued ID information (as required by California law)
• Contact Information: Email address, phone number, delivery address
• Medical Information: Medical recommendation details (for medical cannabis patients only)
• Order Information: Products purchased, delivery preferences, special instructions

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect:

• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Usage Data: Pages viewed, time spent on pages, clicks, and navigation paths
• Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address
• Analytics Data: Through Google Analytics, we collect anonymized data about site usage patterns

1.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your preferences and cart contents
• Analyze website traffic and usage patterns
• Improve your browsing experience
• Ensure website security

2. How We Use Your Information

2.1 Legal Compliance

We use your information to comply with California cannabis regulations:

• Verifying you're 21+ years old
• Maintaining required transaction records
• Ensuring compliance with purchase limits
• Reporting to state regulatory agencies as required

2.2 Order Processing and Fulfillment

We use your information to:

• Process and fulfill your orders
• Coordinate delivery or pickup
• Send order confirmations and updates
• Handle customer service inquiries

2.3 Improving Customer Experience

We analyze anonymized data to:

• Understand product preferences in the Lake Elsinore area
• Improve our website functionality
• Personalize product recommendations
• Enhance our service offerings

2.4 Communications

With your consent, we may use your contact information to:

• Send order status updates
• Notify you about new products or special offers
• Share educational content about cannabis
• Inform you about local events or store updates

3. How We Protect Your Information

3.1 Data Security Measures

We implement industry-standard security measures including:

• SSL encryption for all data transmissions
• Secure, encrypted storage of sensitive information
• Regular security audits and updates
• Limited access to personal data (need-to-know basis only)

3.2 Anonymization Practices

We anonymize data wherever possible:

• Analytics data is aggregated and anonymized
• Internal reports use customer IDs rather than names
• Marketing analysis uses demographic groups, not individuals

3.3 Employee Access and Training

Our team members:

• Only access customer data when necessary for their job
• Receive privacy and security training
• Are bound by confidentiality agreements
• Use secure systems for any data access

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 We Do NOT Sell Your Data

We never sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.

4.2 Limited Sharing for Business Operations

We may share your information only with:

• Delivery Partners: Name and address for order delivery (they're bound by confidentiality agreements)
• Compliance Systems: As required by California cannabis regulations
• Service Providers: Trusted partners who help us operate our business (e.g., email service providers)

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by:

• State cannabis regulatory agencies
• Law enforcement with valid warrants
• Legal proceedings or court orders

5. Your Privacy Rights

5.1 California Privacy Rights

Under California law, you have the right to:

• Know what personal information we collect
• Request deletion of your personal information
• Opt-out of any data selling (though we don't sell data)
• Not be discriminated against for exercising privacy rights

5.2 Access and Correction

You can:

• View and update your account information anytime
• Request a copy of the data we have about you
• Correct any inaccurate information
• Contact us to exercise any of these rights

5.3 Communication Preferences

You can control how we communicate with you:

• Opt-out of marketing emails via the unsubscribe link
• Adjust notification preferences in your account settings
• Contact us to update your communication preferences

6. Data Retention

6.1 Legal Requirements

California cannabis regulations require us to maintain certain records:

• Transaction records: Retained as required by law (typically 7 years)
• ID verification records: Kept secure and deleted when no longer legally required

6.2 Account Information

We retain your account information while your account is active and for a reasonable time after to:

• Comply with legal obligations
• Resolve disputes
• Enforce our agreements

6.3 Anonymized Data

Anonymized, aggregated data may be retained indefinitely for business analysis.

7. Third-Party Services

7.1 Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand website usage. Google Analytics collects anonymized data about:

• Pages visited
• Time on site
• General geographic location
• Device and browser information

You can opt-out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

7.2 Other Third-Party Services

We carefully select third-party services that:

• Comply with privacy regulations
• Use data only for specified purposes
• Maintain appropriate security measures

8. Children's Privacy

Our website and services are not directed to anyone under 21. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 21. If we learn we've collected information from someone under 21, we'll delete it immediately.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect:

• Changes in our practices
• New legal requirements
• Improved privacy protections

We'll notify you of significant changes via email or website notice. Your continued use after changes means you accept the updated policy.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or want to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us:

The Secret Garden Privacy Team
Email: info@thesecretgarden.com
Phone: (951) 228-4203
Mail: The Secret Garden, 571 Crane St. Suite H, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530

Response time: We aim to respond to all privacy requests within 30 days.

11. California-Specific Disclosures

11.1 Categories of Information Collected

In the last 12 months, we've collected these categories of personal information:

• Identifiers (name, email, address)
• California ID information (for age verification)
• Commercial information (purchase history)
• Internet activity (browsing data)
• Geolocation data (general location)

11.2 Sources of Information

We collect information from:

• Directly from you
• Automatically when you use our website
• From third-party services (with your consent)

11.3 Business Purposes for Collection

We use information for:

• Legal compliance
• Order fulfillment
• Customer service
• Business improvement
• Marketing (with consent)

12. Your Consent

By using our website or services, you consent to:

• Our collection and use of information as described
• Our use of cookies and tracking technologies
• Receiving transactional communications (order updates)

You can withdraw consent for optional uses (like marketing) at any time.

Thank you for trusting The Secret Garden with your information. We're committed to protecting your privacy while providing you with excellent cannabis products and services in the Lake Elsinore area.

Last updated: January 1, 2025