Wiz Khalifa sentenced to 9 months in prison in Romania for smoking on stage

The American rapper Wiz Khalifa was sentenced to nine months in prison by a Romanian court, more than a year after an incident at a major summer music festival on the Black Sea coast.

During his performance at the Beach, Please! in July 2024, the rapper was seen smoking on stage, an act that quickly drew the attention of local authorities.

Final decision after prosecutors' appeal

Romanian prosecutors have stated that Wiz Khalifa, (real name Cameron Jibril Thomaz), was found in possession of more than 18 grams of cannabis and that he had consumed some of it in public during his show. Initially, a court of first instance opted for a financial sanction, imposing a fine of fine of 3,600 lei (approx. €830) in April 2025 for illegal possession.

This decision did not satisfy the prosecutors. They appealed, arguing that the sentence did not reflect the seriousness of the offence under Romanian law. The Constanta Court of Appeal agreed with them, cancelling the fine and replacing it with a nine-month prison sentence for «possession of dangerous drugs, without right, for personal consumption». The verdict is final.

Romania applies some of Europe's strictest drug laws. Possession of cannabis for personal use remains an offence and can carry penalties ranging from several months' imprisonment to several years, depending on the circumstances.

Extradition remains highly uncertain

Despite the severity of the judgment, the probability that Wiz Khalifa actually serving his sentence in Romania seems weak. The rapper, who is American citizen and does not reside in the country, did not attend the trial and continued to tour and appear in public in the United States.

Romanian authorities have indicated that an extradition request may be filed. However, legal experts remain sceptical. Criminologist Vlad Zaha told the BBC that «given the wealth and connections of the accused, Romania's lack of real negotiating power on extradition and the legal and political status of cannabis in the US, it is highly unlikely that Wiz Khalifa will be sent to serve a prison sentence in Constanța, even if a formal legal request is made.».

Photographed being escorted by the authorities after the festival, the rapper was briefly detained before being released and leaving the country. He later thanked the Romanian authorities for «letting him go», adding, «I'll be back soon, but without a big joint.»

It had already caused a scandal smoking a joint on Pablo Escobar's grave.