US Rapper Wiz Khalifa Receives Nine-Month Prison Term in Romania for Cannabis Use on Stage

Story: written by Uzuh Rita December 19,2025

American hip-hop artist Wiz Khalifa has been sentenced to nine months in prison by a Romanian court for a drug offense tied to his onstage behavior at a concert last year.

The ruling was issued in his absence after prosecutors successfully appealed an earlier decision that had only imposed a fine.

Khalifa, whose real name is Cameron Jibril Thomaz, was detained in July 2024 following an incident where he allegedly smoked cannabis during a live set at a music festival in Costinești, a Black Sea resort town.

He was released shortly afterward and later issued a public apology, clarifying that his actions were not meant to disrespect Romanian laws or traditions.

The Constanța Tribunal initially fined him 3,000 lei (approximately $690), but the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) challenged the penalty, pushing for jail time.

The appeals court sided with the prosecutors, substituting the fine with a nine-month custodial sentence for the illegal possession of a high-risk drug for personal use. The verdict is considered final under Romanian law.

The rapper currently resides in the United States, and it remains unclear if Romanian officials will pursue extradition.

No confirmation has been given regarding the enforcement of the sentence.

Romania maintains strict drug laws, banning cannabis entirely for both recreational and medical purposes.