Cookies Policy

Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (R3CR)

Effective Date: November 4, 2026 | Last Reviewed & Updated: November 4, 2026 | NIH Award U24AT013161

1. Purpose and Guiding Principles

The Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (R3CR) (“we,” “us,” or “our”) provides open-access scientific resources, educational guidance, and regulatory tools to support rigorous, reproducible cannabinoid science. In operating the website located at https://r3cr.org (the “Site”), we are dedicated to protecting the privacy of researchers, clinicians, students, and community stakeholders.

This Cookies Policy explains what cookies and web measurement technologies are used on the Site, why they are utilized, the federal standards governing their deployment, and how users can control or disable them at any time. We believe in complete transparency and plain-language communication regarding digital data collection.

2. What Are Cookies and Web Measurement Technologies?

A cookie is a small data file consisting of letters and numbers placed on your computer, smartphone, or browsing device when you visit a website. Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual, record basic technical display preferences, ensure server load balancing, and aggregate non-identifying traffic statistics to improve website usability.
In addition to traditional cookies, “web measurement and customization technologies” include server log files, pixel tags, and local storage objects used to measure system reliability, analyze resource usage, and maintain digital site infrastructure.

3. Federal Regulatory Framework: OMB Memorandum M-10-22

Because R3CR operates under a federal research grant awarded by the National Institutes of Health, our digital platforms adhere to the rigorous privacy protections established by the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum M-10-22 (Guidance for Online Use of Web Measurement and Customization Technologies). Under this policy, web technologies are categorized into three distinct operational tiers:

Tier 1 — Single-Session (Temporary) Technologies

• Purpose & Lifespan: Tier 1 technologies are active only during an active browsing session and are erased automatically from memory as soon as you close your web browser.
• Operational Role: These cookies are strictly necessary for core website operations. They enable server load balancing, maintain responsive visual rendering, manage form processing, and maintain technical security.
• Privacy Safeguard: Tier 1 technologies do not collect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and cannot track your activity across sessions.

Tier 2 — Multi-Session (Persistent) Technologies Without PII

• Purpose & Lifespan: Tier 2 technologies remain stored on your device between browsing sessions to distinguish between new and returning visitors.
• Operational Role: R3CR uses Tier 2 technologies exclusively for aggregate web analytics (such as Google Analytics). They measure aggregate metrics – such as page view volume, resource download frequency, average time spent on guides, and referral paths – to help our leadership team evaluate which educational tools provide the greatest value to the research community.
• Privacy Safeguard & Retention: Tier 2 cookies do not collect personal contact information. In strict alignment with federal record schedules, R3CR limits the retention lifespan of persistent analytics cookies to one year or less, after which they expire automatically unless manually cleared.

Tier 3 — Multi-Session Technologies With PII (Strictly Prohibited & Not Used)

• Strict Prohibition: Tier 3 technologies track individual browsing behavior across disparate websites or associate web browsing histories with specific personal identities or user profiles.
• R3CR Status: R3CR DOES NOT deploy Tier 3 tracking technologies. We do not engage in cross-site tracking, behavioral profiling, commercial advertising retargeting, or data enrichment that connects web browsing sessions to individuals.

4. Summary Inventory of Technologies Deployed on R3CR.org

The following table outlines the complete inventory of cookie categories deployed across the R3CR web portal:

5. Non-Commercial Guarantees & Privacy Safeguards

To uphold public trust and satisfy federal grant oversight standards, R3CR maintains the following institutional commitments regarding cookie data:

• No Sale or Commercial Exploitation: We never sell, rent, lease, or monetize data collected via cookies or web measurement tools. No commercial advertising networks have access to our data.
• No Cross-Referencing with Voluntary Submissions: Aggregate web analytics data is stored independently and is never linked or matched with personal contact information submitted through inquiry forms, surveys, or peer-to-peer portal exchanges.
• No Cross-Site Tracking: We do not follow or record your web browsing activity on external third-party websites before or after your visit to https://r3cr.org.
• IP Anonymization: Analytical measurement tools deployed on R3CR utilize IP anonymization protocols to mask the final octet of user IP addresses prior to processing or storage.

6. Third-Party Analytics and External Media Embedded Content

• Google Analytics: We use Google Analytics to analyze visitor dynamics and evaluate resource adoption across our research cores. Google Analytics utilizes Tier 2 persistent cookies to gather non-identifying statistical metrics. To permanently opt out of Google Analytics measurement across all websites, you can install the official
• Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on (available at https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout).
• Third-Party Embedded Content: Certain pages on R3CR may include embedded videos, survey questionnaires, or external links to academic repositories, partner institutions, or government portals (such as NIH or FDA). When you view embedded media or follow external links, those third-party services may place cookies according to their own independent policies. R3CR is not responsible for third-party cookie practices and recommends reviewing external privacy policies directly.

7. User Rights and How to Control, Block, or Delete Cookies

You have the absolute right to decide whether to accept or decline cookies. Disabling Tier 2 analytics cookies will not restrict your ability to browse the R3CR website, access educational publications, read blog posts, download research guides, or submit research inquiries.

A. Browser Configuration and Cookie Deletion

Most modern web browsers allow you to control cookie storage, reject third-party cookies, or delete cookies that have already been placed. You can adjust your preferences via your browser’s privacy settings:

• Google Chrome: Navigate to Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data.
• Mozilla Firefox: Navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data.
• Apple Safari: Navigate to Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data.
• Microsoft Edge: Navigate to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Manage and delete cookies and site data.

B. Global Privacy Controls and Do-Not-Track Signals

R3CR recognizes Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals and standard Do-Not-Track (DNT) browser settings. When our servers detect an active GPC or DNT signal from your web browser, Tier 2 analytics tracking is automatically restricted for that session.

8. Policy Review Schedule and Modifications

We review this Cookies Policy periodically to ensure continuous compliance with OMB guidelines, federal grant standards, and evolving digital technologies. When updates occur, the revision will be reflected in the “Last Reviewed & Updated” date at the top of this document. We encourage users to check this page periodically.

9. Contact Information & Grant Inquiries

For questions, comments, or requests regarding this Cookies Policy or our web measurement technologies, please contact the R3CR administrative team:

• Resource Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (R3CR)
• Administrative Inquiries & Privacy Oversight
• Email: info@r3cr.org
• Website: https://r3cr.org
• Federal Award Notice: Supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH Award U24AT013161)