American rapper Wiz Khalifa has been sentenced to nine months in prison by a Romanian court in a high‑profile drug possession case tied to a July 2024 music festival incident.
The ruling, handed down by the Constanța Court of Appeal on Thursday, marks a significant legal development for the internationally recognised artist, whose real name is Cameron Jibril Thomaz and whose work has included hits like Black and Yellow and Young, Wild & Free.
Khalifa’s case originated from an incident during the ‘Beach, Please!’ festival in Costinesti, Constanța County in July 2024, where police say he was seen smoking cannabis on stage during his performance and was found in possession of more than 18 grams of cannabis.
Romanian authorities charged him with “possession of dangerous drugs without right for personal consumption,” a criminal offence under Romanian law.
Initially, a lower court in April 2025 had imposed a criminal fine of approximately 3,600 lei (around $800), a penalty prosecutors believed was too lenient given Khalifa’s celebrity status and the circumstances of the case.
Prosecutors appealed, and the higher court agreed to a substantially harsher penalty, sentencing him to nine months in prison.
Under Romanian law, possession of cannabis for personal use can carry a prison sentence ranging from three months to two years.
The appeal court’s decision is final under Romanian law and cannot be further appealed domestically. The ruling reflects local legal standards and authorities’ insistence on upholding strict drug possession penalties, even for foreign citizens.
The events that led to Khalifa’s legal troubles unfolded on July 13, 2024, when the rapper was performing at the popular seaside festival in Costinesti — a coastal resort known for its summer music events.
Romanian police intervened after reports that he had lit and smoked cannabis during his performance.
Law enforcement detained him briefly and recovered the illegal substances, ultimately charging him with possession and use.
Following his initial release, Khalifa took to social media to explain that he did not intend any disrespect to Romanian law or culture.
In an earlier post on X, he acknowledged the situation and said he would return someday — “but without a big ass joint next time,” in a message that reflected his public persona but drew scrutiny from legal authorities.
Romania’s drug laws remain among the stricter in Europe, with even small amounts of cannabis criminalised.
This contrasts sharply with many countries, including some U.S. states and parts of Western Europe, where cannabis possession for personal use has been decriminalised or legalised.
Legal experts say Khalifa’s case highlights the risks foreign performers can face when performing abroad without fully understanding local regulations.
In its written decision, the Constanța Court of Appeal emphasised that Khalifa’s conduct — consuming and possessing cannabis in front of a large audience — had “transmitted to the general public a message of normalisation of illegal conduct,” potentially influencing young fans and encouraging tolerance of illegal drug use.
While the ruling did not address trafficking or distribution charges, the court’s language indicated a desire to make an example of Khalifa due to his status as a public figure with significant influence.
At the time of reporting, it remains unclear whether Romanian authorities will seek Khalifa’s extradition to serve the sentence.
As a U.S. citizen who does not reside in Romania, Khalifa has not been taken into custody or begun serving the sentence in a Romanian prison.
Extradition would involve a separate legal process and diplomatic cooperation between Romania and the United States, and such action has not been publicly announced.