Measuring recent cannabis use across modes of delivery: Development and validation of the Cannabis Engagement Assessment

Abstract

IntroductionMethods of cannabis engagement have proliferated in recent years, which many self-report measures do not adequately capture. There is a clear need for self-report measures that capture current patterns of cannabis use across a range of methods, and that can be used to track changes over time. The current study developed the Cannabis Engagement Assessment (CEA), a self-report measure of past month cannabis use across dry flower, concentrate, and edible products. MethodsA sample of 349 participants from the undergraduate student population and broader community were recruited. To examine convergent validity of the CEA, participants completed measures of cannabis engagement, cannabis misuse, and use-related problems. To assess divergent validity, participants also completed measures of depression and alcohol use problems. Criterion and test–retest reliability were examined in a subset of 65 participants who re-completed the CEA and a timeline follow-back interview (TLFB). ResultsIndicators of cannabis use frequency and quantity showed good convergence with measures of cannabis use patterns, problematic engagement, and cannabis use-related problems. Divergent validity of the CEA was supported by lower associations with alcohol use problems and depression symptoms. The CEA also showed good test–retest reliability and convergence with estimates of frequency and quantity of cannabis use from the TLFB. ConclusionsThe CEA is a viable self-report measure of cannabis use that is representative of current patterns of recreational cannabis engagement. Its focus on cannabis use in the preceding 30 days also lends itself to measuring changes in use over time.