Tobacco Dependence Measures Were Successfully Adapted to Assess Cannabis Dependence
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.
Quick Facts
What This Study 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.
Key Numbers
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 They Did This
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.
Why This Research 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 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.
What This Study Doesn't 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.
Questions This Raises
- ?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?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Psychometric validation study with adequate sample size and rigorous methodology, but single-sample validation requiring replication.
- Study Age:
- Published 2025, data collected 2024.
- Original Title:
- Adapting and applying tobacco dependence indicators to cannabis dependence.
- Published In:
- Drug and alcohol dependence, 270, 112613 (2025)
- Authors:
- Wellman, Robert J(3), Strong, David R, O'Loughlin, Erin K(2), Sylvestre, Marie-Pierre, O'Loughlin, Jennifer L
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07939
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked 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.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07939APA
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
MLA
Wellman, Robert J, et al. "Adapting and applying tobacco dependence indicators to cannabis dependence.." Drug and alcohol dependence, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112613
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Adapting and applying tobacco dependence indicators to canna..." RTHC-07939. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/wellman-2025-adapting-and-applying-tobacco
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.