Wiz Khalifa Could Face Up To Nine Months In Prison In Romania For Smoking Marijuana On Stage

Wiz Khalifa could face up to nine months in a Romanian prison following an incident where he lit a joint at the 2024 Beach, Please! Festival. On Thursday (Dec. 18), TMZ reported that the rapper’s legal team is in the process of appealing the sentence.

As noted by the outlet, Khalifa may encounter challenges due to Romania’s strict laws regarding marijuana, which is prohibited for both recreational and medical use and classified as a “high-risk drug.”

The artist, born Cameron Jibril Thomaz, was detained and charged with illegal drug possession in July 2024 after smoking while playing Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s “The Next Episode” at the Costinești-based festival. He was released shortly after.

Khalifa expressed on X that he did not intend to disrespect Romania by smoking on stage, stating, “They were very respectful and let me go. I’ll be back soon. But without a big ass joint next time.”

Last nights 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. I’ll be back soon. But without a big ass joint next time

— Wiz Khalifa (@wizkhalifa) July 14, 2024

His affinity for marijuana is evident in his music and Twitch streams. While celebrating the release of Kush + Orange Juice 2, he discussed his desire to change perceptions around cannabis, noting the contrast to previous experiences where smoking led to anxiety about law enforcement.

He remarked, “It’s wild. Just being able to walk the streets in New York and smoke weed is so cool, because I remember we used to pull up, and there’s cops everywhere, always, so we would hop out [of] the van, and we would just hurry up and shut the door. But now they don’t care.”

Additionally, he mentioned his efforts to advocate for cannabis legalization in various communities, emphasizing the importance of making it less intimidating.

As Khalifa pursues cannabis reform worldwide, his situation in Romania emphasizes the conflicts artists may face when navigating differing local laws and personal freedoms. The outcome of his appeal could illustrate the varying legal landscapes encountered while performing internationally.