Wiz Khalifa Sentenced to Nine Months in Romania Over Drug Possession Case

American rapper Wiz Khalifa has been sentenced to nine months in prison by a Romanian court following a drug possession case tied to a music festival appearance in 2024, according to reports from Romanian authorities.

(Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

The ruling was issued by the Constanta Court of Appeal in Romania and is considered final. Khalifa, whose legal name is Cameron Jibril Thomaz, was convicted of possessing illegal drugs for personal use without authorization under Romanian law.

The case dates back to July 2024, when Khalifa performed at the Beach, Please! Festival in Costinesti, a coastal town in Constanta County. Romanian police stopped the artist after the performance and alleged that he had consumed cannabis on stage. Prosecutors stated that authorities found more than 18 grams of cannabis in his possession at the time. Initially, a lower court in Constanta County issued Khalifa a fine of approximately 3,600 Romanian lei (about $830) in April 2025. However, prosecutors appealed the ruling, arguing that the penalty did not reflect the severity of the offense. The appeals court later overturned the fine and imposed a prison sentence instead.

Romania enforces strict drug laws compared to many other European countries. Possession of cannabis for personal use is a criminal offense and can result in penalties ranging from fines to prison sentences of up to two years, depending on circumstances.

It remains unclear whether Romanian authorities will pursue extradition, as Khalifa is a U.S. citizen and does not reside in Romania. No public statements have been made indicating whether he plans to appeal further or address the ruling.

Wiz Khalifa, 38, rose to mainstream recognition with his mixtape Kush + Orange Juice and is widely known for his music and public association with cannabis culture. During the 2024 festival performance, he was seen smoking a large hand-rolled cigarette while performing his hit song “Young, Wild & Free,” an act that later became central to the case.

As of now, the sentence stands, and further developments will depend on decisions made by Romanian authorities and Khalifa’s legal team.