The Dualistic Model of Passion Applied to Recreational Marijuana Consumption

This study was designed to evaluate the application of the dualistic model of passion (Vallerand, 2015; Vallerand et al., 2003) to recreational marijuana consumption. Using a web-based recruitment and data collection procedure, an online sample of 524 frequent marijuana consumers were administered a modified version of the Passion Scale (Marijuana-Harmonious and Obsessive Passion Scale; M-HOPS) and other questionnaires. Results from a canonical correlation analysis indicated that obsessive passion scores were significantly positively associated with past 30-day consumption, average number of sessions per day, craving, and number of consumption-related problems, while controlling for gender, ethnicity, and harmonious passion scores. Additionally, harmonious passion scores were significantly negatively associated with consumption-related problems and positively associated with life satisfaction, while controlling for ethnicity, gender, and obsessive passion scores. Future research could evaluate whether obsessive passion is associated with future problems related to consumption and the development of a cannabis use disorder. Clinicians and prevention specialists could use the M-HOPS as a means to understand and address the dualistic experience of passion for marijuana consumption, which might contribute to persistent use over time.