A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the debut of "Polychromatic Super You," a 40-foot-by-25-foot mural in downtown Ferndale's alley at 258 W. Nine Mile Rd. Michigan artist Joey Salamon created the vibrant work for JARS Cannabis and HYPE Cannabis as part of their Smoke with Pride campaign supporting LGBTQ+ youth. The piece highlights corporate investment in queer visibility amid Michigan's evolving cannabis landscape.
Commission Celebrates Shared Countercultures
JARS Cannabis and HYPE Cannabis commissioned the mural to honor Pride and the intertwined histories of cannabis and LGBTQ+ communities. Both groups have long navigated societal margins, from underground networks during prohibition eras to modern advocacy for acceptance. Artist Joey Salamon emphasized this trust: "For them to hire me for this specific project and give me free rein on design, it not only shows their trust in my process, but it also shows their openness to having a queer artist freely express themselves without restrictions on something that is not only personal to me but also to many others in Ferndale and beyond."
JARS Marketing Director Stefanie Michels added, "JARS Cannabis is thrilled to have the opportunity to unveil this incredible Pride-inspired mural to the Ferndale community. Recognizing the intertwining history between cannabis and the LGBTQ+ community, it is our hope that ‘Polychromatic Super You’ will serve to spark important conversations that surround the two counterculture movements, as well as encourage mural visitors to continue to donate, support, and share the love with Michigan’s LGBTQ+ community all year-round." Ferndale, known for its vibrant queer scene, provides a fitting backdrop for such expressions.
Direct Support for At-Risk Youth
The Smoke with Pride initiative channels funds to Detroit's Ruth Ellis Center, which offers shelter, counseling, and support for LGBTQ+ youth facing homelessness or abuse. JARS and HYPE pledge 10 percent of HYPE product proceeds from JARS locations to the center, with 100 percent of sales from the JARS x HYPE Smoke with Pride Kit also donated. Visitors can contribute directly via the center's channels.
Salamon underscored the mural's role: "It’s always an extra bonus when I get to create artwork with the main intent to showcase LGBTQ+ representation. For companies such as JARS and HYPE to invest in projects like this, it not only adds visibility, but it helps to create a connection to the community." This model reflects broader trends where legalized cannabis businesses fund social causes, blending profit with advocacy.
Interactive Element Drives Engagement
A QR code on the mural links to details about Smoke with Pride, resources for LGBTQ+ youth, and donation options. Scanning invites passersby to learn, contribute, and extend the artwork's reach beyond the alley wall. Such tech integration turns static art into a dynamic call to action, fostering year-round support in a region where youth centers like Ruth Ellis remain vital amid ongoing challenges to queer rights.
