Examining Cannabis Flower and Concentrate Quantity Estimation Accuracy Differences With and Without Visual Cues

Abstract

Objective: Cannabis consumers tend to overestimate cannabis quantities. However, it is unknown whether visual cues, such as pictures or physical piles of cannabis products, help consumers more accurately estimate cannabis quantities. In this study, we evaluate whether picture cues and physical cannabis cues improve the accuracy of flower and concentrate quantity estimations compared to when no visual cues are provided. Method: Sixty participants in a private cannabis club were asked to prepare their preferred method of cannabis administration (i.e., joint, bowl, dab) with their typical amount of cannabis product. Research staff measured the weight of the prepared product and participants were not informed of this weight. Participants were then asked to estimate the weight of their prepared cannabis and were randomized to receive either pictures of different weights of cannabis (picture cues), physical piles of cannabis products (physical cues) or no visual cues to reference when estimating their prepared product weight. The sample was 66% White, 58% Non-Hispanic, 54% female, and the average age was 30.7 years (SD = 7.7). Accuracy of estimations was assessed using Wilcoxon Rank Sign tests, and groups differences were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis tests due to violations of normality. Results: Among flower products, the no cue and picture cues produced estimations that were statistically distinguishable from 1 (n = 172, W = 1.66, p < .05, r = -0.64; n = 147, W = 1.43, p < .05, r = -0.60, for the no cue and picture cue conditions, respectively); however, the physical cues produced estimates that were statistically indistinguishable from 1 (n = 174, W = 1.25, p = 0.13, r = -0.24). Among concentrate products, the no cue and physical cue conditions had estimations that were statistically indistinguishable from 1 (n = 48, W = 0.42, p < .19, r = -0.21; n = 124, W = 1.94, p = .25, r = -0.15 for the no cue and physical cues conditions, respectively), but the picture cues did not (n = 117, W = 3.77, p < .05, r = -0.75). Conclusions: These data suggest that physical cues may be helpful in improving accuracy of estimation of cannabis quantities; however, overall, visual cues may not be helpful in improving accuracy of estimation of cannabis quantities.