BACKGROUND. Cannabis has therapeutic benefits, some of which have been scientifically proven, but there are social, educational, legal and clinical barriers to its therapeutic use. OBJECTIVE. to discover the opinions nursing students have regarding perceived barriers to the therapeutic use of cannabis. METHODOLOGY. qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research. The sample consisted of 20 subjects. A focus group technique was used to collect data and the analysis was done through data reduction. For validity, rigorous criteria were used, as well as triangulating by researchers. The institution's scientific ethics committee reviewed the ethical implications of the study. RESULTS. 117 units of meaning were identified, from which six descriptive categories were created: Social Nuances, Investigative Area, Clinical, Legal Aspects, Curriculum, Ethical Considerations. The most frequently mentioned social concern is the legalization of therapeutic use. Other identified barriers include: lack of research and evidence; adverse effects recognized as obstacles; lack of regulation with respect to public policies and laws; lack of presence in the curriculum; absence of justified ethical bases. CONCLUSIONS. social stigmas and legislative policies represent barriers; there is a lack of community education; there is no clarity regarding the pharmacological market; adverse effects are recognized as difficulties; there is insufficient clinical and scientific evidence; it is not included in the training curriculum; there is a lack of public policies and ethical guidelines.