Tobacco Dependence Measures Were Successfully Adapted to Assess Cannabis Dependence | Research

The takeaway

Researchers adapted a 15-item tobacco dependence scale for cannabis and found it reliably measured cannabis dependence with good psychometric properties, enabling direct comparison between tobacco and cannabis dependence for the first time.

Addiction researchers, clinical psychologists, substance use counselors working with co-users, and measurement science specialists.

What the researchers found

The adapted 15-item cannabis dependence scale showed good factor structure and measurement invariance across sex. Items demonstrated varying discriminative power for different levels of dependence. The scale enables standardized comparison of dependence across tobacco and cannabis — previously impossible due to substance-specific measures.

Why it matters

As tobacco and cannabis co-use increases, clinicians need comparable measures of dependence for both. This adapted scale fills a critical gap, enabling research on whether interventions effective for tobacco dependence could be applied to cannabis.

The numbers in context

320 participants, mean age 35. 15-item adapted scale. Good factor structure confirmed. Measurement invariance across sex established. 24-year longitudinal study context. Items varied in discriminative power across dependence levels.

How the study worked

320 past-year cannabis consumers (mean age 35) from a 24-year longitudinal study completed the adapted 15-item scale in 2024. Factor structure, measurement invariance across sex, item response characteristics (endorsement likelihood and discriminative power), and internal reliability were examined.

What this study cannot tell us

Single sample from a longitudinal study — may not represent all cannabis users. Adaptation from tobacco measures may miss cannabis-specific dependence features. Self-report only. Cross-sectional validation — longitudinal predictive validity not yet tested.

How to read the evidence

Psychometric validation study with adequate sample size and rigorous methodology, but single-sample validation requiring replication.

When this study was published

Published 2025, data collected 2024.

The bigger picture

Comparing dependence across substances has been hindered by incompatible measures. If we can now measure tobacco and cannabis dependence on comparable scales, it opens the door to understanding shared mechanisms, cross-substance interventions, and more precise clinical assessment.

Questions still open

Does cannabis dependence measured by this scale predict treatment outcomes? Are the same items most discriminating for cannabis and tobacco dependence? Could this scale identify co-use patients at highest risk for dual dependence?

Common questions

Is cannabis as addictive as tobacco?

This study created comparable measures but didn't directly compare addiction rates. Having comparable scales will enable future research to answer this question more precisely than before.

Why does comparing dependence across substances matter?

If we can measure dependence the same way for both substances, we can determine if treatments that work for tobacco dependence might also work for cannabis, and identify shared risk factors driving both.

Read the original research

Adapting and applying tobacco dependence indicators to cannabis dependence.

Drug and alcohol dependence, 270, 112613

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Wellman, Robert J; Strong, David R; O'Loughlin, Erin K; Sylvestre, Marie-Pierre; O'Loughlin, Jennifer L. (2025). Adapting and applying tobacco dependence indicators to cannabis dependence.. Drug and alcohol dependence, 270, 112613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112613