American rapper Wiz Khalifa has been sentenced to nine months in jail by a Romanian court after being convicted of drug possession following an incident at a music festival last year. The incident occurred on July 13, 2024, when Khalifa, born Cameron Jibril Thomaz, was performing at the Beach, Please! festival in Costinești, a popular coastal resort in Constanța County. Romanian police say he smoked cannabis on stage during his set, which included his hit “Young, Wild & Free,” and was found to be in possession of more than 18 grams of cannabis.
The Constanța Court of Appeal upheld the conviction on December 18, 2025, for “possession of dangerous drugs, without right, for personal use,” handing down the nine-month prison sentence. This ruling is final under Romanian law. Earlier in 2025, a lower court had fined Khalifa 3,600 Romanian lei (approximately $830) for the same incident. Prosecutors appealed, arguing that his public use of cannabis normalized illegal drug use, especially in front of young fans, and the appeal succeeded, replacing the fine with the custodial sentence.
Romania enforces strict drug laws, with possession of cannabis for personal use punishable by three months to two years in prison or a fine. It remains unclear whether Romanian authorities will seek to extradite Khalifa, who is a U.S. citizen and resides outside Romania. His legal team and officials have offered mixed comments, but extradition is generally complicated due to differences in national drug laws.
Khalifa previously addressed the 2024 incident on social media, stating he did not intend any disrespect to Romania and expressing gratitude for the country’s hospitality. The sentencing has sparked debate among fans and legal observers, highlighting the contrast between cannabis legality in parts of the United States and Romania. As of now, the nine-month sentence stands, with no indication he will serve it imminently, and the rapper continues performing and posting online in the United States.
English