Cannabis Demand Measures Predict How Much Young Adults Will Use Three Months Later

Both current and projected future cannabis demand predicted use frequency three months later, suggesting demand-based screening could identify at-risk young adults.

Kurnellas, Rebecca et al.·Cannabis (Albuquerque·2025·Moderate EvidenceProspective Cohort
RTHC-06875Prospective CohortModerate Evidence2025RETHINKTHC RESEARCH DATABASErethinkthc.com/research

Quick Facts

Study Type
Prospective Cohort
Evidence
Moderate Evidence
Sample
Not reported

What This Study Found

Demand measures were stable across 3 months. Participants accurately projected future demand. Both current and projected demand predicted 3-month cannabis use frequency.

Key Numbers

Three MPT timepoints compared; demand stable; both current and projected predicted future use.

How They Did This

Prospective cohort. Young adult cannabis users completed current and projected Marijuana Purchase Tasks at baseline, then reassessed at 3 months.

Why This Research Matters

A simple purchase task can forecast cannabis use three months out, enabling potential early intervention.

The Bigger Picture

Extends behavioral economic purchase tasks from cross-sectional to prospective prediction of substance use.

What This Study Doesn't Tell Us

Sample size not detailed. Short follow-up. Hypothetical purchase scenarios.

Questions This Raises

  • ?Could MPT-based screening enable early intervention?
  • ?Does projected demand add value beyond current demand?

Trust & Context

Key Stat:
Both current and projected demand predicted 3-month use
Evidence Grade:
Prospective design with validated measures. Limited detail on sample and effect sizes.
Study Age:
2025 study of prospective cannabis demand-use associations.
Original Title:
Current and Projected Cannabis Demand Predict Future Consumption in Young Adults Who Use Cannabis.
Published In:
Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.), 8(3), 56-71 (2025)
Database ID:
RTHC-06875

Evidence Hierarchy

Meta-Analysis / Systematic Review
Randomized Controlled Trial
Cohort / Case-ControlFollows or compares groups over time
This study
Cross-Sectional / Observational
Case Report / Animal Study

Enrolls participants and follows them forward in time.

What do these levels mean? →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you predict future cannabis use?

A purchase task measuring hypothetical buying predicted actual use three months later.

Can people predict their own future use?

Participants projected future demand with reasonable accuracy.

Read More on RethinkTHC

Cite This Study

RTHC-06875·https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06875

APA

Kurnellas, Rebecca; Sutton, Cassandra A; Jun, Daiil; Taylor, Hailey; Smith, Aaron P; Foxx, Ricarda; Yurasek, Ali M; Yi, Richard. (2025). Current and Projected Cannabis Demand Predict Future Consumption in Young Adults Who Use Cannabis.. Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.), 8(3), 56-71. https://doi.org/10.26828/cannabis/2025/000324

MLA

Kurnellas, Rebecca, et al. "Current and Projected Cannabis Demand Predict Future Consumption in Young Adults Who Use Cannabis.." Cannabis (Albuquerque, 2025. https://doi.org/10.26828/cannabis/2025/000324

RethinkTHC

RethinkTHC Research Database. "Current and Projected Cannabis Demand Predict Future Consump..." RTHC-06875. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/kurnellas-2025-current-and-projected-cannabis

Access the Original Study

Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.

This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.