Wiz Khalifa Sentenced to Prison in Romania for Cannabis Possession
In a surprising development that has sent ripples through the music industry, renowned rapper Wiz Khalifa has been sentenced to nine months in prison in Romania on drug possession charges. The 38-year-old artist, whose legal name is Cameron Thomaz, received the sentence on Thursday, December 18, stemming from an incident that occurred more than a year ago following his performance at the Beach, Please! festival in the coastal village of Costinesti in July 2024. According to reports from Romania’s national news agency Agerpres, Khalifa was convicted of “possession of dangerous drugs, without right, for personal consumption,” after allegedly being found with 18 grams of cannabis. This conviction represents a significant escalation from an initial $830 fine issued by a lower court in Constanta County in April, which prosecutors successfully appealed in pursuit of a stricter punishment.
The legal troubles began for the “See You Again” rapper immediately after his headline performance at the Romanian music festival last summer. Romanian prosecutors from the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) alleged that Khalifa not only possessed the cannabis but also consumed it on stage during his performance. “During a performance at a music festival held in the resort of Costinesti, the accused was found to have possessed more than 18 grams of cannabis and to have consumed (on stage) another quantity in the form of a handmade cigarette,” prosecutors stated at the time. Although charged with the offense, Khalifa was not held in custody following the incident, allowing him to return to the United States while the legal process unfolded in Romania.
In the immediate aftermath of the festival incident, Khalifa seemed to acknowledge his actions while expressing respect for Romanian authorities. “Last nights show was amazing. I didn’t mean any disrespect to the country of Romania by lighting up on stage,” he posted on social media platform X. “They were very respectful and let me go. I’ll be back soon. But without a big ass joint next time.” This statement suggested that Khalifa may not have fully appreciated the severity with which Romanian law treats cannabis possession and use, possibly expecting treatment more aligned with the increasingly tolerant approaches found in parts of the United States and other countries where cannabis laws have been relaxed in recent years. The significant prison sentence highlights the stark contrast in drug policies across different nations and serves as a reminder of the legal risks international travelers face when crossing borders with different legal standards.
Coincidentally, the incident in Romania occurred during what should have been a joyous time in the rapper’s personal life, as he and his girlfriend Aimee Aguilar welcomed their first child together that same month. Aguilar, 31, shared her post-partum journey on social media, offering candid insights into her recovery following childbirth. “I gave birth exactly a week ago today, so I am a week postpartum,” she revealed in a TikTok video, detailing her physical recovery and offering encouragement to other new mothers. “To all my other mom girlies, you’ll get through this,” she added. “Your body will do its thing in its time. Don’t ever compare your postpartum body to anybody else.” This latest addition expands Khalifa’s family, which already includes his 12-year-old son Sebastian from his previous marriage to Amber Rose, suggesting that the rapper’s imprisonment will have significant implications not just for his career but also for his family life.
Khalifa’s public persona has long been associated with cannabis use, which he has openly discussed and incorporated into his image as an artist. Earlier this year, during a January 2024 appearance on the popular “Call Her Daddy” podcast, he spoke candidly about attending parent-teacher conferences for his son Sebastian while under the influence of marijuana. “I’m pulling up stoned. They expect it,” Khalifa told host Alex Cooper. “They know what’s up. It’s not like back in the day [where] you’re considered a bad parent if you smoke weed.” His comments reflected his belief that being authentic was paramount, even in his role as a parent: “I’m pulling up high because I want them to connect with the real me. They’re not going to get a fake version of me or this made-up parent that society makes you think that you’re supposed to be. I am who I am, and it’s not because I’m a celebrity or anything.” These statements illustrate how deeply intertwined cannabis use is with Khalifa’s identity, making his current legal situation all the more significant.
The sentencing raises important questions about celebrity, cultural differences, and the global disparities in drug laws that can catch international travelers unaware. While many parts of the United States have moved toward legalization or decriminalization of cannabis, Romania maintains strict anti-drug laws with serious penalties. This case serves as a stark reminder that what may be increasingly acceptable or even legal in one country can lead to imprisonment in another. As Khalifa’s representatives have yet to comment publicly on the sentence, fans and observers are left wondering how this will affect the rapper’s career, his upcoming projects, and most importantly, his relationship with his children, including newborn daughter and son Sebastian. The music industry and legal experts will be watching closely to see if there are any appeals or diplomatic interventions that might affect the outcome of this case, while the situation also prompts reflection on the broader implications of disparate drug laws in an increasingly globalized entertainment industry where artists regularly perform across international boundaries.
