A Romanian court has handed down a nine-month prison sentence to American rapper Wiz Khalifa, concluding a legal battle that began with his arrest on drug-related charges more than a year ago. The ruling by the Constanța Court of Appeal serves as a significant escalation from a previous lower court decision, marking a firm stance by the nation’s judiciary regarding drug possession and its public display.
The charges stem from an incident in July 2024 at the ‘Beach, Please!’ music festival held in the coastal town of Costinești. During his performance, authorities reported that the artist was found in possession of more than 18 grams of cannabis and was observed consuming the substance while on stage. Under Romanian law, the possession and use of cannabis are strictly prohibited, leading to his immediate detention following the set.
In the aftermath of the festival, Khalifa addressed the controversy on social media, clarifying that he had no intention of showing disrespect toward the country or its regulations. He further noted that the local authorities had been professional during the encounter and allowed him to depart the country following the initial incident.
The legal proceedings took a turn when the Constanța Court of Appeal convicted him of possessing dangerous drugs for personal consumption. In delivering the nine-month custodial sentence, the judges emphasized the necessity of setting a public example. The court argued that the high-profile nature of the act, performed in front of a large audience, carried a heavy social impact that risked normalizing illegal behavior among young fans.
This final verdict follows a much more lenient ruling in April 2025, where a lower court in Constanța County had initially ordered a criminal fine of approximately USD 830. Unhappy with that outcome, prosecutors filed an appeal to secure a more rigorous punishment, which ultimately resulted in the jail term. As a U.S. citizen who was not present in Romania for the sentencing, Khalifa’s legal future remains uncertain, as authorities have yet to confirm if they will initiate a formal request for his extradition.
