BUCHAREST – In a recent ruling by a Romanian court, American rapper Wiz Khalifa received a nine-month jail sentence for drug possession, stemming from an incident over a year ago when he performed at a music festival in Romania.
The incident occurred in July 2024, when Romanian authorities detained Khalifa, known offstage as Cameron Jibril Thomaz, after he allegedly smoked cannabis during his performance at the Beach, Please! Festival in Costinesti, a popular coastal spot in Constanta County. Prosecutors reported that Khalifa had more than 18 grams of cannabis in his possession and consumed some while on stage.
The Constanta Court of Appeal delivered the final verdict, convicting Khalifa of “possession of dangerous drugs, without right, for personal consumption,” as reported by Romania’s national news agency, Agerpres.
Earlier, a lower court in Constanta County had imposed a criminal fine of 3,600 lei (approximately $830) on Khalifa for “illegal possession of dangerous drugs.” However, prosecutors were not satisfied with the penalty and pushed for a harsher sentence, leading to the appeal.
Romania is known for its stringent drug laws, with personal cannabis possession punishable by up to two years in prison or a monetary fine.
It remains uncertain whether Romanian authorities will pursue extradition, as Khalifa, a U.S. citizen, does not live in Romania.
The 38-year-old Pittsburgh rapper rose to prominence with his breakout mixtape “Kush + Orange Juice.” On stage in Romania last summer, the popular rapper smoked a large, hand-rolled cigarette while singing his hit “Young, Wild & Free.”
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