American rap superstar Wiz Khalifa is confronting a potential nine-month prison term in Romania after a court upheld a conviction for drug possession, overturning an earlier fine.
Court Overturns Fine, Imposes Jail Time
The Constanța Court of Appeal ruled on Thursday, 18th December 2025, to sentence the 38-year-old musician, whose real name is Thomaz Cameron Jibril, to nine months behind bars. This decision came after prosecutors from the DIICOT Constanța Territorial Service appealed an initial penalty which had only fined the rapper approximately £516 (3,000 lei).
According to reports, Khalifa's legal team is now appealing this stricter sentence. A final decision on his punishment is yet to be confirmed as the appeals process continues.
Arrest Followed Festival Performance
The charges stem from an incident in 2024 when the rapper was arrested following his performance at the Beach Please! Festival in Costinești. Romanian anti-organised crime prosecutors stated that during the show, Khalifa was found to be in possession of more than 18 grams of cannabis and consumed a quantity on stage in the form of a hand-rolled cigarette.
It is said the infraction occurred while he was enjoying a track by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Following his brief detention, Khalifa addressed the situation on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), writing: "Last nights show was amazing. I didn’t mean any disrespect to the country of Romania by lighting up on stage." He added that authorities had been respectful and he would return, but "without a big a*s joint next time."
Romania's Strict Drug Laws and Cultural Contrast
The case highlights Romania's stringent narcotics legislation, which stands in contrast to more liberal policies in other parts of Europe. In Romania, cannabis possession for both recreational and medical purposes is illegal. Being caught can lead to prison sentences ranging from three months to two years, with fines also a possibility.
This legal stance creates a stark clash with the public persona of artists like Wiz Khalifa, who has built a career around cannabis culture. He has previously told Vice magazine that smoking "frees [his] mind" and makes his creative ideas "more vivid," adding that he likes to smoke before, during, and after making music.
The rapper is also known for his business ventures and endorsements within the legal cannabis industry in the United States, alongside figures like Snoop Dogg, Seth Rogen, and Mike Tyson.
