A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the debut of "Polychromatic Super You," a 40-foot-by-25-foot mural by Michigan artist Joey Salamon in a downtown Ferndale alley at 258 W. Nine Mile Rd. Commissioned by JARS Cannabis and HYPE Cannabis, the vibrant artwork celebrates Pride and the LGBTQ+ community while tying into the retailers' Smoke with Pride campaign. This project underscores growing corporate support for queer visibility in public spaces, blending countercultural histories of cannabis and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Artistic Freedom Meets Corporate Backing
Joey Salamon, a queer artist based in Michigan, received full creative control for the mural, a gesture that highlights the commissioning companies' commitment to authentic expression. "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," Salamon said. Ferndale, known for its vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, provides fertile ground for such works, where public art fosters community identity and counters historical marginalization.
Smoke with Pride Campaign Drives Support
JARS Cannabis and HYPE Cannabis launched the Smoke with Pride initiative to benefit Detroit's Ruth Ellis Center, which offers safe housing and services for at-risk LGBTQ+ youth. The campaign directs 10 percent of proceeds from HYPE products sold at JARS locations to the center, with 100 percent of sales from the JARS x HYPE Smoke with Pride Kit also donated. "JARS Cannabis is thrilled to have the opportunity to unveil this incredible Pride-inspired mural to the Ferndale community," said JARS Marketing Director Stefanie Michels. "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."
Interactive Element Connects Art to Action
A QR code on the mural invites passersby to scan with their smartphones, linking to details on the Smoke with Pride campaign, LGBTQ+ resources, and a direct donation portal for the Ruth Ellis Center. This fusion of street art and digital access amplifies the mural's reach, turning a static image into a call to action. Salamon emphasized the broader impact: "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."
Cultural Ties and Community Implications
The mural bridges longstanding affinities between cannabis culture and LGBTQ+ movements, both rooted in defiance of mainstream norms since the mid-20th century. Cannabis legalization in Michigan since 2018 has enabled such partnerships, allowing businesses to fund social causes openly. By embedding queer narratives in everyday urban landscapes, projects like this promote year-round inclusion, signal corporate accountability, and invite dialogue on visibility for youth facing housing instability and discrimination.
