The story centers around Silas P. Silas (played by Method Man) and Jamal King (played by Redman), two marijuana enthusiasts who live in the impoverished neighborhood of Newark, New Jersey. Silas is a skilled botanist, while Jamal is a streetwise hustler with dreams of becoming a rapper. Despite their lack of ambition and success, the two friends share a deep bond and a love for getting high.
One day, while smoking marijuana in their apartment, Silas and Jamal discover that the ashes of their deceased friend, Ivory (played by Chuck Davis), contain magical properties when mixed with marijuana. They use Ivory’s ashes to grow a special strain of marijuana that has powerful hallucinogenic effects when smoked.
When Silas’s friend, Tuan (played by Trieu Tran), accidentally feeds the marijuana to a neighbor’s diabetic horse, the horse becomes intoxicated and runs amok through the neighborhood, causing chaos and destruction. In an effort to escape the angry mob of neighbors, Silas and Jamal hide in the horse trailer and accidentally ingest the fumes from the burning marijuana, causing them to hallucinate.
In their drug-induced state, Silas and Jamal have a vision of Ivory, who encourages them to pursue their dreams and make something of themselves. Inspired by Ivory’s words, Silas and Jamal decide to take the SATs and apply to Harvard University, believing that their special strain of marijuana will help them achieve academic success.
To their surprise, Silas and Jamal’s plan works, and they are admitted to Harvard with full scholarships. They quickly become popular on campus, using their street smarts and unconventional methods to navigate the academic challenges and social dynamics of the prestigious university.
Along the way, Silas and Jamal encounter a colorful cast of characters, including the uptight Dean Cain (played by Obba Babatundé), the eccentric Professor Jackson (played by Fred Willard), and the beautiful but unattainable Lauren (played by Lark Voorhies). They also form unlikely friendships with fellow students, including the socially awkward Bart (played by Chris Elwood) and the rebellious activist Rashad (played by Justin Urich).
As Silas and Jamal settle into life at Harvard, they struggle to balance their newfound academic responsibilities with their love of marijuana and partying. They also face challenges from jealous classmates, skeptical professors, and the dean’s attempts to expose their true identities.
In a series of hilarious and outrageous escapades, Silas and Jamal use their street smarts and resourcefulness to outsmart their adversaries and prove their worth at Harvard. Along the way, they learn valuable lessons about friendship, ambition, and the importance of staying true to oneself.
In the end, Silas and Jamal graduate from Harvard with honors, proving that success can come from the most unlikely of places. They return to Newark as heroes, using their newfound knowledge and experience to improve their community and pursue their dreams.
“How High” is a raucous and irreverent comedy that celebrates the power of friendship, the pursuit of dreams, and the joys of getting high. Through its outrageous humor, memorable characters, and infectious energy, the film offers a hilarious and entertaining ride that is sure to leave audiences laughing.