# How High

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2001 film by Jesse Dylan

For the Madonna song, see [*Confessions on a Dance Floor*](/source/Confessions_on_a_Dance_Floor). For the Charlatans song, see [Tellin' Stories](/source/Tellin'_Stories).

How High Theatrical release poster Directed by Jesse Dylan Written by Dustin Abraham Produced by Pamela Abdy Danny DeVito James Ellis Shauna Garr Michael Shamberg Stacey Sher Starring Redman Method Man Obba Babatundé Mike Epps Jeffrey Jones Fred Willard Cinematography Francis Kenny Edited by Larry Bock Music by Rockwilder Production companies Jersey Films Native Pictures Distributed by Universal Pictures Release date December 21, 2001 (2001-12-21) Running time 103 minutes Country United States Language English Budget $12–20 million[1][2] Box office $31.3 million[2]

***How High*** is a 2001 American [stoner comedy film](/source/Stoner_film) directed by [Jesse Dylan](/source/Jesse_Dylan) in his feature directorial debut and written by [Dustin Lee Abraham](/source/Dustin_Lee_Abraham). The film stars [Method Man](/source/Method_Man) and [Redman](/source/Redman_(rapper)) as two [cannabis](/source/Cannabis) users who gain admission to [Harvard University](/source/Harvard_University) with the supernatural help of a deceased friend whose ashes were used to fertilize a [marijuana](/source/Marijuana) plant. [Obba Babatundé](/source/Obba_Babatund%C3%A9), [Mike Epps](/source/Mike_Epps), [Jeffrey Jones](/source/Jeffrey_Jones), and [Fred Willard](/source/Fred_Willard) also appear in supporting roles.

Produced by [Jersey Films](/source/Jersey_Films) and Native Pictures and distributed by [Universal Pictures](/source/Universal_Pictures), *How High* was released on December 21, 2001. The film received generally negative reviews from critics,[3][4] but later gained a cult following. A television sequel, *[How High 2](/source/How_High_2)*, was released in 2019.

## Plot

Silas and Jamal are two underachieving stoners preparing to take their "[THC](/source/Tetrahydrocannabinol)" exam—a parody of the [SAT](/source/SAT) and a reference to marijuana's active ingredient. Silas has a new strain of marijuana, grown using the ashes of his recently deceased friend Ivory. Jamal has a cigar but no weed, while Silas has weed but no cigar. They team up, smoke together, and discover that doing so summons Ivory's ghost, visible only to them. During the exam, Ivory gives them all the answers, allowing them to score perfect results.

Several colleges offer them scholarships, but none seem interesting until the Chancellor of Harvard, under pressure to increase minority enrollment, convinces them to attend. Once at Harvard, they meet Bart, the snobbish rowing team captain; his girlfriend Lauren; their silent, thieving friend known as I Need Money; and their roommates Jeffrey and Tuan. Dean Carl Cain informs them they must maintain a minimum 2.0 [GPA](/source/GPA) to remain enrolled.

Jamal joins the rowing team to compete with Bart, while Silas signs up for [botany](/source/Botany) to refine his marijuana-growing skills. Both also take black history. With Ivory's help, they easily pass all their classes. Silas develops a romantic relationship with Lauren, and Jamal begins dating Jamie, the daughter of the U.S. vice president.

As the semester goes on, their disruptive antics—pranks and petty theft—anger Bart, Jeffrey (who's pledging a [final club](/source/Final_club)), and Dean Carl Cain. Things unravel after a raucous Halloween party when Gerald, a volunteer campus officer whose bike was destroyed by I Need Money, steals and smokes the Ivory plant, cutting off their access to Ivory's ghost.

Desperate to stay in school, Silas starts working on a [truth serum](/source/Truth_serum) for his botany final, hoping it will earn him an A and secure his spot next semester. His experiments repeatedly fail. Jamal suggests they dig up a "smart dead guy" and smoke his remains—eventually targeting [John Quincy Adams](/source/John_Quincy_Adams)—but this plan also fails. They try studying, but still fail most of their midterms.

Meanwhile, Gerald—now a heavy stoner—has a vision of Ivory, who persuades him to return the remaining bit of the plant to Silas and Jamal. However, the supply is too small to help them improve their grades. Just as they prepare to give up, Jeffrey reminds Silas that success with his truth serum would guarantee his continuation at Harvard. Silas finally perfects the serum using the last of Ivory's leaves.

Though their grades exclude them from the alumni party, Jamie invites them as her dates. At the event, Silas tests his serum, and it works. Lauren presents a discovery among [Benjamin Franklin](/source/Benjamin_Franklin)'s artifacts that shocks the crowd—a historical bong. Ivory appears with Franklin's ghost to confirm its authenticity. Dean Carl Cain is outraged, but the Chancellor, fed up, fires him.

As the party continues, Dean Carl Cain returns with an axe in a failed attempt to attack Silas and Jamal. He is stopped by [Secret Service](/source/United_States_Secret_Service) agents. In the end, both are allowed to stay at Harvard. Jamie's father approves of her relationship with Jamal, and Lauren leaves Bart for Silas, claiming Bart "can't satisfy her."

## Cast

- [Redman](/source/Redman_(rapper)) as Jamal King

- [Method Man](/source/Method_Man) as Silas P. Silas

- [Obba Babatundé](/source/Obba_Babatund%C3%A9) as Dean Carl Cain

- [Mike Epps](/source/Mike_Epps) as "Baby Powder"

- [Fred Willard](/source/Fred_Willard) as Phil Huntley

- [Anna Maria Horsford](/source/Anna_Maria_Horsford) as Mamma King

- [Spalding Gray](/source/Spalding_Gray) as Professor Jackson

- [Jeffrey Jones](/source/Jeffrey_Jones) as The Vice President

- [Hector Elizondo](/source/H%C3%A9ctor_Elizondo) as Bill, The Crew Coach

- [Lark Voorhies](/source/Lark_Voorhies) as Lauren

- [Al Shearer](/source/Al_Shearer) as "I Need Money"

- Chuck Davis as Ivory

- Chris Elwood as Bart

- [Essence Atkins](/source/Essence_Atkins) as Jamie

- [T.J. Thyne](/source/T._J._Thyne) as Gerald

- Justin Urich as Jeffrey

- Trieu Tran as Tuan

- Dennison Samaroo as Amir

- [Tracey Walter](/source/Tracey_Walter) as Professor Wood

- [Garrett Morris](/source/Garrett_Morris) as Canned Pork Chop Commercial Pitchman Along with Tracy Morgan

- Alem Brhan as Jamaican

- [Amber Smith](/source/Amber_Smith) as Professor Garr

- [Melissa Peterman](/source/Melissa_Peterman) as Sheila Cain

- [Tracy Morgan](/source/Tracy_Morgan) as Commercial Actor / Field of Dreams Guy (uncredited)

- [Cypress Hill](/source/Cypress_Hill) as Themselves

- [Chuck Liddell](/source/Chuck_Liddell) as Himself in the Party Fight Scene

- [Pat Finn](/source/Pat_Finn_(actor)) as Army Recruiter

- [Judah Friedlander](/source/Judah_Friedlander) as The Bicyclist

- Patricia Fisher as "End Table Ass"

- Sacha Kemp as "Hella Back"

- Scruncho as "Baby Wipes"

## Reception

### Box office

*How High* collected $7.1 million during its opening weekend, ranking in fifth place at the box office below *[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring](/source/The_Lord_of_the_Rings%3A_The_Fellowship_of_the_Ring)*, *[Ocean's Eleven](/source/Ocean's_Eleven)*, *[Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius](/source/Jimmy_Neutron%3A_Boy_Genius)* and *[Vanilla Sky](/source/Vanilla_Sky)*.[5]

### Critical response

On [review aggregator](/source/Review_aggregator) [Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes), *How High* has an approval rating of 25% based on 59 reviews, with an average rating of 3.9/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "How High is a sloppily constructed stoner movie filled with lame, vulgar jokes."[3] On [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic), the film received a score of 29 based on 21 reviews, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.[4]

Mike Clark of *[USA Today](/source/USA_Today)* gave the film two and a half stars out of four. He concluded that it did not have enough material "to sustain its 91 minutes" but did have enough "low-grade laughs" for its target audience.[6] Ellen Kim of *[Seattle Post-Intelligencer](/source/Seattle_Post-Intelligencer)* said, "Unfortunately, this low-lowbrow comedy, which tries to pass itself off as a *[Friday](/source/Friday_(1995_film))* crossed with *[Legally Blonde](/source/Legally_Blonde)*, also does nothing to distinguish itself from recent urban flops *[The Wash](/source/The_Wash_(2001_film))* and *[Pootie Tang](/source/Pootie_Tang)*."[7]

Writing for the *[San Francisco Chronicle](/source/San_Francisco_Chronicle)*, Bob Graham noted that "It looks like a movie somebody hallucinated and put up on the screen". He praised some humorous scenes such as the exhumation of John Quincy Adams, but criticized an abrupt ending.[8]

*[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)* rated it third in their "Best Stoner Movie" top ten list.[9] It also won the [Stony Award](/source/Stony_Awards) for Best Stoner Movie in 2002.[10]

## Home media

*How High* was released on [DVD](/source/DVD) and [VHS](/source/VHS) on May 21, 2002.[11]

## Soundtrack

Main article: [How High (soundtrack)](/source/How_High_(soundtrack))

## Sequel

Main article: [How High 2](/source/How_High_2)

In May 2002, a television sequel to *How High* was reported as being written by Don D. Scott (the co-writer of *[Barbershop](/source/Barbershop_(film))*), with Method Man and Redman reprising their roles.[12]

In October 2008, Redman revealed that a script for the sequel was still in the middle of being written, stating that "we wanna represent all the smokers", believing that since *How High*, no one has done justice on a stoner film.[13] In April 2009, it was reported that Redman blamed [Universal Pictures](/source/Universal_Pictures) for the film's delay, stating: "They're not opening that money door for us to shoot it. We promoted the shit out of that movie. We got the whole world waiting for a *How High 2*."[14]

In December 2010, Redman confirmed that Universal Pictures was indeed holding the rights to *How High*, so the chances of *How High 2* coming out were slim.[15] In April 2013, Method Man told [TMZ](/source/TMZ) that the script was being written by Dustin Lee Abraham, who wrote the first one, but it all would depend on Universal if the film would happen.[16] In November 2015, Redman stated *How High 2* would be released in 2017.[17]

In 2017, there was a written script, confirmed by Matt "M-80" Markoff.[18] Redman stated that the script was being rewritten, and he expected production to begin late 2017, early 2018; he also stated he and Method Man could move on to something other than the sequel. The two men confirmed they would not reprise their roles in the sequel because "the business wasn't right".[19]

The sequel was greenlit by [MTV](/source/MTV) and Universal 1440 Entertainment in June 2018. The film takes place in [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta) and production began September 25, 2018, starring [Lil' Yachty](/source/Lil'_Yachty) and [D.C. Young Fly](/source/D.C._Young_Fly). MTV announced *How High 2* would premiere on [April 20](/source/420_(cannabis_culture)), 2019, with Mike Epps reprising his role as Baby Powder.[20]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-numbers_1-0)** ["How High (2001) - Financial Information"](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/How-High#tab=summary). *[The Numbers](/source/The_Numbers_(website))*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-mojo_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-mojo_2-1) [*How High*](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=howhigh.htm) at [Box Office Mojo](/source/Box_Office_Mojo)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-tomatoes_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-tomatoes_3-1) ["How High (2001)"](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/how_high). *[Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes)*. Retrieved October 15, 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-metacritic_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-metacritic_4-1) ["How High"](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/how-high). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["'Fellowship' lords over weekend box-office as No. 1"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-signal-fellowship-lords-over-weeke/124524156/). [The Signal](/source/The_Santa_Clarita_Valley_Signal). December 24, 2001. p. 30. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230512224035/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-signal-fellowship-lords-over-weeke/124524156/) from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Clark, Mike (December 20, 2001). ["'How High': Weed it and weep, stoners"](http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/enter/movies/2001-12-21-how-high-review.htm). *USA Today*. Retrieved April 21, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Kim, Ellen A. (December 21, 2001). ["Lowbrow 'How High' can't rise above urban prattle"](https://web.archive.org/web/20020124172108/http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/movies/51463_high21q.shtml). *Seattle Post-Intelligencer*. Archived from [the original](http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/movies/51463_high21q.shtml) on January 24, 2002. Retrieved January 24, 2002.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Graham, Bob (December 21, 2001). ["FILM CLIPS / Also opening today"](https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/FILM-CLIPS-Also-opening-today-2836395.php#high). *San Francisco Chronicle*. Retrieved April 21, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Pastorek, Whitney (August 6, 2004). ["Joint Ventures"](https://ew.com/article/2004/08/06/ews-top-10-list-best-stoner-flicks/). *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070602115809/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,673986,00.html) from the original on June 2, 2007. Retrieved May 23, 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["DAILY NEWS: Showtime's "Lift"; Stony Winners; and "Spooky" Plans"](https://www.indiewire.com/2002/03/daily-news-showtimes-lift-stony-winners-and-spooky-plans-80499/). *[IndieWire](/source/IndieWire)*. March 7, 2002. Retrieved October 4, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Churnin, Nancy (May 17, 2002). ["Pooh charms in 25th anniversary video edition"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-pooh-charms-in-25th/124032416/). *Knight Ridder*. [The Greenville News](/source/The_Greenville_News). p. 73. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230506011045/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-pooh-charms-in-25th/124032416/) from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2023 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Method Man, Redman set for 'How High' sequel"](https://web.archive.org/web/20020612010200/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMovies/may31_methodman-can.html). May 31, 2002. Archived from [the original](http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMovies/may31_methodman-can.html) on June 12, 2002.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Cyrus Langhorne (14 October 2008). "[New York: Redman Promises Fans New "Blackout" Album, "How High" Sequel](http://www.sohh.com/2008/10/redman_promises_fans_new.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081115114349/http://www.sohh.com/2008/10/redman_promises_fans_new.html) 2008-11-15 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)". *[SOHH](/source/SOHH)*. Accessed 27 November 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Danica Dow (April 26, 2009. "[Exclusive: SOHH Exclusive: Redman Blames Universal For "How High 2" Delay, "They're Not Opening That Money Door"](http://www.sohh.com/2009/04/redman_blames_universal_f.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140714151155/http://www.sohh.com/2009/04/redman_blames_universal_f.html) 2014-07-14 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)". *[SOHH](/source/SOHH)*. Accessed May 28, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["\[Watch Now\] Redman Gives Live Interview on"](http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2010/12/redman-to-give-live-interview-on-xxlmag-com/). Xxlmag.Com. April 20, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Lilah, Rose (April 17, 2013). ["Method Man Gives Update On Status Of"](https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/12303-method-man-gives-update-on-status-of-how-high-2-news). *HotNewHipHop*. Retrieved October 15, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Redman Reveals 'How High 2' Might Soar Into Theaters In 2017"](http://www.vibe.com/2015/11/redman-reveals-how-high-2-2017/). *Vibe*. Retrieved April 9, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Method Man & Redman's "How High 2" Still In The Works"](http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.42371/title.method-man-redmans-how-high-2-still-in-the-works#). hiphopdx.com. February 15, 2017. Retrieved April 6, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** [https://www.instagram.com/p/BovDn52HOCS/](https://www.instagram.com/p/BovDn52HOCS/) [*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*][*[better source needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#Questionable_sources)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Petski, Denise; Andreeva, Nellie (March 7, 2019). ["'How High 2': Mike Epps To Reprise Baby Powder Role In MTV Sequel; Premiere Date Set"](https://deadline.com/2019/03/how-high-2-mike-epps-reprise-baby-powder-role-mtv-sequel-premiere-date-set-1202571048/). *Deadline Hollywood*.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.howhighmovie.com)

- [*How High*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0278488/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [*How High*](https://web.archive.org/web/1/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/451884/enwp) at the [TCM Movie Database](/source/Turner_Classic_Movies#TCMdb) (archived)

- [*How High*](https://letterboxd.com/film/how-high/) at [Letterboxd](/source/Letterboxd)

v t e Films directed by Jesse Dylan How High (2001) American Wedding (2003) Kicking & Screaming (2005)

v t e Films by Danny DeVito Filmography Awards and nominations Directed The Selling of Vince D'Angelo (1982, short) The Ratings Game (1984) Throw Momma from the Train (1987) The War of the Roses (1989) Hoffa (1992) Matilda (1996) Death to Smoochy (2002) Duplex (2003) St. Sebastian (2012, unreleased) Curmudgeons (2016, short) Produced Reality Bites (1994) 8 Seconds (1994) Get Shorty (1995) Sunset Park (1996) Feeling Minnesota (1996) Gattaca (1997) Out of Sight (1998) Living Out Loud (1998) Man on the Moon (1999) Erin Brockovich (2000) The Caveman's Valentine (2001) How High (2001) Camp (2003) Along Came Polly (2004) Be Cool (2005) Even Money (2006) Relative Strangers (2006) Freedom Writers (2007) Reno 911!: Miami (2007) A Walk Among the Tombstones (2014)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [How High](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_High) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_High?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.