The cannabis industry is taking off around the world right now, meaning there's no better time to study the example of excellent entrepreneurs who are leading the commercial crusade. A number of high-profile women have already garnered plenty of attention for themselves due to their involvement in cannabis companies, but many female entrepreneurs are going sorely unnoticed by the mainstream press despite their continued success in the commercial arena.

Here are 5 women in pot that you should know about, what we can learn from their examples, and why they've enjoyed such triumphant success thus far.

1. Hope Wiseman, CEO of Mary & Main

Hope Wiseman saw the myriad of opportunities presented by legal cannabis before most, which is why she's garnering a name for herself as one of the youngest female dispensary owners of color in the world. Hope intends to make her operation a diverse, welcoming place for cannabis enthusiasts from all walks of life to enjoy, and she's already putting forward some impressive results with the help of her mother and business partner, Dr. Octavia Simkins-Wiseman.

Hope also reminds us that black and brown cannabis consumers are more likely to face criminal convictions for loving marijuana than their white counterparts are, something she hopes to help rectify as the industry matures. Wherever in the world you're situated, it's easy to draw inspiration from Hope's wise performance in the cannabis market to date.

2. Cynthia Salarizadeh, Founder of AxisWire

The cannabis industry has expanded incredibly quickly over the past few years, leaving many consumers, business owners, and potential investors thirsty for reliable information and updates on all things related to pot. Luckily, the talented Cynthia Salarizadeh stepped in to fulfill this need by founding AxisWire, one of the most popular newswire and tech suites for entrepreneurs interested in the cannabis industry.

How are new entrants to the industry supposed to spread their brand name and network with others in their market? By establishing AxisWire, Cynthia hoped to help creative-minded entrepreneurs mingle with one another while sharing their ideas and brands with their peers. As investors everywhere race to get involved in the cannabis stock market, newshubs like that created by Cynthia will grow to become more and more essential towards the overall vibrancy of the industry.

3. Debra Borchardt, CEO of Green Market Media

It should come as little surprise that another entrant on our list is focused on the intersection of cannabis and the media; Debra Borchardt is already fairly famous in the world of cannabis for good reasons, as she's prominently injected cannabis-related stories into the mainstream media environment even back when it wasn't always popular to do so.

Debra helped co-found Green Market Media, which she's now the CEO of, in an effort to provide important financial news pertaining to the cannabis market to investors and interested consumers. Formerly a VP at Bear Stearns, she's earned a highly-respected position for herself as one of the more powerful women in the pot market.

4. Jane West, founder of Women Grow

Women in pot have a lot to thank Jane West, founder of Women Grow, for. She's created one of the largest professional networks in the cannabis industry and has helped propel CBD products into the mainstream. Consumers asking what is CBD oil, now have an answer. Those wondering how the future of the cannabis market will be decided should look no further than her network, as it's fast-becoming one of the bustling hubs of professional activity related to pot.

5. Erin Gore, founder of Garden Society

Finally, there's the talented Erin Gore, founder of the Garden Society. Her corporation serves women searching for holistic, cannabis-based rejuvenation, a fast-growing sector of the cannabis industry. She's posted important articles in prominent cannabis publications calling for greater unity amongst women in the industry, and serves as an important role model for young women interested in foraying into this economic sector.

These 5 women are only the beginning - as the cannabis market matures, even more female entrepreneurs and thought leaders will emerge to help shape the future of marijuana.