Method Man High on School

08/17/2007 3:16 PM, E! Online


Method Man is going back to school.
As part of a plea deal stemming from his May pot bust, the How High star will attempt to separate himself from his puff-happy image and meet with students from 15 New York City high schools to speak with them about the dangers of using drugs.
Method, whose real name is Clifford Smith, is "thrilled to do it," attorney Peter Frankel told reporters Friday. "He's never been in trouble before. He's not a stereotypical rapper."
The Wu-Tang Clan member's singular experience went like this: Police pulled Method's Lincoln Navigator over near the Battery Tunnel on May 17 as the rapper was on his way to Manhattan after tollbooth workers reported that they smelled marijuana coming from his vehicle. The authorities said that they were then greeted with a big whiff of weed when Method rolled the window down.
According to his report, the officer saw two joints and a plastic baggie containing nearly an ounce of pot sitting in plain view.
Method was charged with criminal possession of marijuana and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs, but, as part of his deal, he was able to plead down and cop to disorderly conduct instead.
But at least the story that Method will be telling the kids has an inspirational side. In addition to starring in the movies How High, Soul Plan, and Hood of Horror, the chronically busy rapper-actor has had guest appearances on The Wire and CSI, and is working on his fourth solo album, a follow-up to last year's 4:21: The Day After.
He's also been tied up in the studio rapping on Wu-Tang's next effort, 8 Diagrams, which will reportedly feature eight of the Clan's original members. Method, RZA, GZA, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, U-God, Ghostface Killah and Masta Killa lost Ol' Dirty Bastard to a drug overdose in 2004.