A Romanian court has handed down a nine-month prison sentence to American rapper Wiz Khalifa, whose real name is Thomaz Cameron Jibril, for smoking cannabis during a live performance. This ruling came after an appeal court overturned an earlier fine of 3,600 Romanian lei (approximately £619 or $829), which was imposed for drug possession.
Khalifa, who performed at the Beach, Please! Festival last year in Costinesti, admitted to smoking a joint on stage. Following his performance on July 13, 2024, he was briefly detained and questioned by authorities. Romanian prosecutors subsequently charged him with possession of what they classified as “risk drugs” intended for personal use, noting that he held more than 18 grams of cannabis while consuming additional amounts during the show.
In their written decision, the judges at the Constanța Court of Appeal criticized Khalifa for sending “a message of normalization of illegal conduct” that could encourage drug use among young people. They labeled the act as “ostentatious,” emphasizing that it occurred in front of a large audience primarily comprised of youths.
Khalifa later expressed on social media that it was not his intention to offend anyone and referred to the authorities as respectful during the incident. He humorously remarked that he would return to Romania, but without a “big ass joint” this time.
Concerns have been raised about the likelihood of extraditing Khalifa to serve his sentence in Romania. Romanian criminologist Vlad Zaha stated that the chances of the U.S. complying with such a request are minimal, citing Khalifa’s wealth, connections, and the legal complexities surrounding cannabis use in the United States.
Wiz Khalifa is well-known for his hits such as “Black and Yellow,” “See You Again,” and “Young, Wild & Free.” He has been an outspoken advocate for cannabis use, having launched his own marijuana brand in 2016. While cannabis is legal for recreational and medical use in several U.S. states, it remains illegal under federal law.
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