Preliminary validation of an experimental cannabis marketplace and its psychometric properties against an established measure of cannabis demand

Purpose: The aim of the presented study was to perform an initial validation of the Experimental Cannabis Marketplace (ECM) by comparing behavioral economic indices generated from the Marijuana Purchase Task (MPT), and to measures associated with problematic cannabis use. Procedures: Participants (n = 63) were recruited from CloudResearch and completed a survey containing the MPT, the ECM, and measures associated with problematic cannabis use (Cannabis Use Problem Identification Test, Marijuana Craving Questionnaire-Short Form). Nonlinear regression was used to determine behavioral economic indices from the MPT and the ECM. Then, Spearman’s rho correlations between behavioral economic indices and problematic cannabis use measures were calculated. Findings: The behavioral economic indices of demand intensity and demand elasticity were significantly correlated (medium) between the MPT and the ECM. Demand intensity in the ECM was positively associated with measures of problematic cannabis use. Conclusions: Positive associations indicating both convergent and concurrent validity suggest that the ECM is a suitable method for evaluating cannabis demand.