Wiz Khalifa Sentenced to Nine Months in Jail in Romania for Onstage Cannabis Use

American rapper Wiz Khalifa has been sentenced to nine months in prison in Romania after a court overturned an earlier fine related to his onstage cannabis use at a music festival. The ruling stems from an incident at the Beach, Please! Festival in Costinești in July 2024, where the rapper admitted to smoking a joint during his performance.

The Constanța Court of Appeal replaced an initial fine of 3,600 Romanian lei (approximately £619 or $830) with a custodial sentence, ruling that the act went beyond personal use and sent a dangerous public message to young audiences.

Why the Court Took a Harsher Stance

In its written judgment, the appeals court described Wiz Khalifa’s actions as an “ostentatious act” that contributed to the normalisation of illegal drug use. Judges noted that the artist was performing at a major festival popular with young people and consumed cannabis in front of a large, predominantly youthful crowd.

Romanian prosecutors stated that Wiz Khalifa, whose real name is Cameron Jibril Thomaz, was found in possession of more than 18 grams of cannabis, in addition to the amount consumed on stage. Under Romania’s strict drug laws, possession of cannabis for personal use can result in prison sentences ranging from three months to two years.

Sentenced in Absentia, Extradition Unlikely

The rapper was sentenced in absentia and has continued to perform and post online since the ruling. Just days ago, he appeared on stage with Gunna in California and shared content from his home via Twitch and social media.

Legal experts say extradition is highly unlikely. Romanian criminologist Vlad Zaha described the sentence as “unusually harsh” and noted that the United States is unlikely to extradite a high-profile artist over a cannabis-related offense, especially given differing legal and cultural attitudes toward marijuana.

Wiz Khalifa Responds, But Questions Remain

Following the incident last year, Wiz Khalifa posted on X that he did not intend to offend Romania, adding humorously that he would return “but without a big ass joint next time.” The BBC has approached the ten-time Grammy-nominated artist for further comment following the sentencing.

Wiz Khalifa is well known for his association with cannabis culture and even founded his own marijuana brand in 2016. While cannabis is legal for recreational or medical use in several U.S. states, it remains illegal under Romanian and U.S. federal law, highlighting the legal risks artists face while touring internationally.

A Warning for Touring Artists

The case has sparked debate across the music industry, serving as a cautionary tale about respecting local laws abroad, regardless of an artist’s status or cultural norms back home. As global tours resume at full scale, Khalifa’s sentencing underscores how dramatically legal boundaries can differ from one country to another.