Gimmie the Gummies: Initial validation of the Edibles Marijuana Purchase Task

The traditional Marijuana Purchase Task (MPT) assesses hypothetical demand (i.e., relative value) for cannabis flower across escalating prices and has been related to cannabis use, cannabis expenditure, and cannabis use disorder symptoms. However, the MPT is specific to demand for cannabis flower, resulting in limited utility for individuals who endorse the use of other cannabis formulations, including edibles. The present investigation aimed to validate a novel measure of cannabis edible demand: the Edibles MPT (eMPT). Data were drawn from two samples (i.e., laboratory: n = 74; crowdsourced: n = 131) who endorsed use of cannabis edibles. Participants completed the eMPT, as well as key cannabis use outcome measures including the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test-Revised and cannabis expenditures. Demand data from the eMPT were highly systematic and prototypical across samples. Individual-level demand curves showed substantial variability in consumption. Multiple eMPT indices were significantly intercorrelated (laboratory: |r_s| = .43-.93; crowdsourced: |r_s| = .36-.89), correlated with corresponding MPT indices (laboratory: |r_s| = .52-.69; crowdsourced: |r_s| = .47-.74), and associated with Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test-Revised scores and cannabis expenditures (laboratory: |r_s| = .24-.54; crowdsourced: |r_s| = .23-44). Additionally, the eMPT differentiated participants in the crowdsourced sample based on hazardous cannabis use via the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test-Revised; participants exhibiting hazardous use showed significantly greater intensity, breakpoint, and Omax and lower elasticity (ps < .03; ds .18-.67). These findings demonstrate that the eMPT is a valid assessment of cannabis edible demand and fulfills an unmet need in the cannabis demand literature for edible-specific purchase tasks. Subsequent research should continue to develop purchase tasks for other increasingly prevalent cannabis formulations due to the proliferation of novel cannabis products in the recreational market. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).