American rapper Wiz Khalifa has been sentenced to nine months behind bars by a court in Romania for possession of illegal drugs. The Constanța Court of Appeal upheld the sentence this week, marking a significant escalation from an initial fine.
The Incident and Legal Proceedings
The case stems from an incident in July, when the 38-year-old performer, real name Cameron Jibril Thomaz, was stopped by police in Costinești. He was allegedly smoking cannabis during his performance of the hit song Young, Wild & Free at the Beach, Please! Festival.
Prosecutors from the DIICOT Constanța Territorial Service stated that he was found with more than 18 grams of cannabis, some of which he consumed on stage. His conviction is officially for 'possession of dangerous drugs, without right, for personal consumption'.
This latest ruling overturns a prior decision that fined him 3,000 lei (approximately £523). The court has now imposed a custodial sentence, which is reportedly final under Romanian law, though Khalifa's legal team intends to appeal.
Romania's Strict Drug Laws and Khalifa's Response
Romania maintains some of Europe's toughest narcotics legislation. Both recreational and medical cannabis use is illegal, with possession punishable by prison sentences ranging from three months to two years, alongside potential fines.
Following his initial arrest, Khalifa addressed the situation on social media platform X. He wrote: 'Last nights show was amazing. I didn’t mean any disrespect to the country of Romania by lighting up on stage. They were very respectful and let me go. I’ll be back soon. But without a big a*s joint next time.'
The rapper, known for tracks like Black and Yellow, has never hidden his cannabis use. In interviews, he has claimed to smoke around '30 joints a day' and described smoking as a ritual that frees his mind for creativity. He has also spoken about his friendship with fellow cannabis advocate Snoop Dogg.
What Happens Next?
Currently, Wiz Khalifa is in the United States. He was live-streaming on Twitch just yesterday and made a recent appearance at a concert in Los Angeles. A key unresolved question is whether Romanian authorities will seek his extradition to serve the sentence.
This case highlights the stark contrast in drug policies across the continent and the serious legal risks international artists can face when local laws conflict with their personal habits.
