Community Guidelines

📜 Our Code of Conduct

The HempDash community is built on respect, learning, and collaboration. We are committed to providing a welcoming environment for everyone, regardless of experience level, background, or identity.

✅ Expected Behavior

• Be Respectful: Treat all community members with respect and kindness. Disagreements are fine, but personal attacks are not.
• Be Helpful: Share your knowledge and experience. If you see someone asking a question you can answer, help them out.
• Be Constructive: Provide constructive feedback and criticism. Focus on ideas, not individuals.
• Be Inclusive: Welcome newcomers and help them feel included. Everyone was a beginner once.
• Be Authentic: Share real experiences and honest opinions. Authenticity builds trust.
• Follow the Law: Comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding hemp and cannabis in your jurisdiction.

🚫 Unacceptable Behavior

• Harassment: No harassment, intimidation, or bullying of any kind.
• Hate Speech: No discriminatory language or content targeting race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics.
• Spam: No spam, excessive self-promotion, or irrelevant content.
• Misinformation: No deliberate spreading of false information, especially regarding health or legal matters.
• Illegal Activity: No discussion or promotion of illegal activities.
• Inappropriate Content: No explicit sexual content, violence, or otherwise inappropriate material.
• Privacy Violations: No sharing of others' private information without consent.

💬 Comment Guidelines

When commenting on blog posts and discussions:

• Stay on topic and contribute meaningfully to the conversation
• Keep comments concise and readable
• Use proper formatting and grammar when possible
• Cite sources when sharing factual information
• Avoid excessive use of links (max 3 per comment)
• Don't post duplicate comments

📅 Event Guidelines

When participating in community events:

• RSVP accurately - only RSVP if you intend to attend
• Arrive on time for virtual and in-person events
• Participate actively and respectfully
• Turn on video when appropriate for virtual events
• Mute your microphone when not speaking
• Follow event-specific guidelines provided by organizers

🏆 Gamification and Badges

Our point and badge system rewards positive contributions:

• Points are earned through genuine engagement, not gaming the system
• Don't create fake accounts or manipulate the system
• Report suspicious activity if you notice it
• Focus on quality contributions, not just quantity

🛡️ Moderation

Our moderation team works to maintain a safe and welcoming community:

• Auto-Moderation: Automated systems flag potential spam and inappropriate content
• User Reports: Community members can report problematic content
• Human Review: Moderators review flagged content and make final decisions
• Appeals: Users can appeal moderation decisions by contacting support

⚠️ Consequences

Violations of these guidelines may result in:

1. Warning: First-time minor violations receive a warning
2. Content Removal: Problematic content may be hidden or deleted
3. Temporary Ban: Serious or repeated violations result in temporary account restrictions
4. Permanent Ban: Severe violations or pattern of abuse result in permanent account suspension

🚩 Reporting Issues

If you encounter content or behavior that violates these guidelines:

• Use the "Report" button on comments or content
• Select the appropriate reason for your report
• Provide additional details if helpful
• For urgent safety concerns, email: safety@gethempdash.com

🤝 Community Values

📝 Updates

These guidelines may be updated periodically. Continued participation in the community constitutes acceptance of the current guidelines.

Last Updated: January 15, 2025