Development and preliminary validation of the positive consequences of cannabis (PCOC) scale

While extensive research exists on the negative consequences of cannabis use, there is a noticeable gap in the literature regarding positive consequences on patterns of cannabis use. The goal of the present study was to develop and test the psychometric properties of a novel scale, the Positive Consequences of Cannabis scale (PCOC) to assess positive outcomes of cannabis use among current adult cannabis users.

Participants (n = 768) were recruited through online platforms. The sample was predominantly non-Hispanic (92.3 %) male (62.92 %) with an average age of 29.08 years (SD = 6.10). A split half validation method was used to assess the factor structure of the PCOC scale. Data analysis also included Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to identify underlying factor structures of the PCOC, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to validate the factor structure, and the assessments of internal consistency and validity.

The EFA identified a two-factor solution for the PCOC: Social and Psychological Consequences and Cognitive and Motivational Consequences. The CFA confirmed the validity of this factor structure with good model fit (χ2 = 321.33, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.95; TLI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.038; SRMR = 0.048). Internal consistency coefficients for the PCOC subscales and total scale exceeded acceptable thresholds. A hierarchical regression model showed that both PCOC subscales were significantly associated with cannabis use frequency and quantity.

The development and validation of the PCOC represent a significant advancement in assessing positive consequences in understanding cannabis use patterns, indicating that individuals who experience a range of positive effects are more likely to engage in more frequent and intense cannabis use.