Romanian Court Hands US Rapper Wiz Khalifa 9-Month Sentence in Drug Case

A Romanian appeals court has sentenced American rapper Wiz Khalifa to nine months in prison for drug possession, issuing the final ruling more than a year after the incident that led to the charges.

The Constanta Court of Appeal issued the decision Thursday, convicting Khalifa, whose legal name is Cameron Jibril Thomaz, of possession of illegal drugs for personal use, according to Romania’s national news agency, Agerpres. The sentence stems from a July 2024 incident at the Beach, Please! music festival in Costinesti, a resort town along Romania’s Black Sea coast.

Prosecutors said the 38-year-old rapper was stopped by police after allegedly smoking cannabis on stage during his performance. Authorities reported that he was found with more than 18 grams of cannabis and that some of the substance was consumed publicly during the show.

The ruling followed an appeal by prosecutors after a lower court in Constanta County earlier this year imposed only a criminal fine of about 3,600 lei (roughly $830). Dissatisfied with that outcome, prosecutors sought a harsher penalty, which the appeals court ultimately granted. Under Romanian law, possession of cannabis for personal use is a criminal offense and can carry penalties ranging from fines to prison sentences of up to two years.

Romania enforces some of the strictest drug laws in Europe, and cannabis remains illegal for recreational use.

It remains unclear whether Romanian authorities will pursue extradition, as Khalifa is a U.S. citizen and does not reside in Romania. The court’s decision is considered final under Romanian judicial procedure.

Khalifa has not publicly commented on the ruling itself. However, following the 2024 festival incident, he addressed the matter on social media, offering an apology and acknowledging the country’s laws.

In a post shared on X at the time, he wrote, “Last night’s show was amazing. I didn’t mean any disrespect to the country of Romania by lighting up on stage. They were very respectful and let me go.”

He said he will “be back soon” but will not bring cannabis with him next time.

The case drew international attention in part because cannabis use is legal or decriminalized in several U.S. states and many other countries, though it remains prohibited under Romanian law.

Khalifa rose to prominence in the late 2000s with his breakout mixtape “Kush + Orange Juice” and later achieved mainstream success with chart-topping singles and albums. The Pittsburgh native is known for his laid-back musical style and frequent references to cannabis in his work and public persona.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.