BUCHAREST, Romania — Wiz Khalifa has been sentenced to nine months in prison by a Romanian appeals court after a drug possession case tied to an onstage cannabis incident at a music festival in 2024.

The sentence was issued Dec. 18, 2025, after prosecutors successfully appealed an earlier fine against the rapper. The decision overturns the original penalty and replaces it with a prison term, drawing attention from fans and stirring debate about differing drug laws around the world.

What Happened at the Festival

In July 2024, Wiz Khalifa was performing at the Beach, Please! Festival in Costinesti, Romania, a popular seaside music event when he lit and smoked marijuana on stage during his set.

Romanian police later said they found more than 18 grams of cannabis in Khalifa’s possession after the show. Under Romania’s strict drug laws, even small amounts of cannabis can be treated as a criminal offense.

Khalifa was detained briefly by police at the festival and released later the same day. Videos of him smoking on stage circulated widely on social media following the incident.

Romania’s Drug Laws and Court Decisions

Romania treats marijuana possession as a crime, not a minor infraction, and penalties can include fines or imprisonment. In the original case in April 2025, a Romanian court convicted Khalifa of illegal drug possession and imposed a fine of 3,600 lei (approximately $830).

Prosecutors argued that the fine was too lenient and appealed the decision. On Dec. 18, 2025, the Constanța Court of Appeal agreed, ordering a nine-month prison sentence instead. Judges cited the public nature of the offense and Khalifa’s influence as factors in their decision.

Khalifa’s Response and Reaction

After the July 2024 arrest, Khalifa addressed the situation on social media, saying he did not mean to disrespect Romania or its laws. He also thanked authorities for the way he was handled.

He wrote at the time:

“Last night’s 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.”

Since the Dec. 18 sentencing, Khalifa has not released a new public statement about the prison term.

Fans online reacted strongly, with many pointing out that marijuana is legal or decriminalized in many U.S. states. Several social posts expressed surprise at the severity of the penalty for a cannabis-related offense.

Will He Actually Go to Prison?

The sentence was issued in absentia, meaning Khalifa was not present in court for the ruling and was not physically jailed.

Romanian authorities have not confirmed whether they will pursue extradition, and legal experts say extradition for a cannabis offense involving a nonviolent act would face many obstacles. No international arrest warrant has been publicly announced.

Because Khalifa is a U.S. citizen living mainly in the United States, it is unclear whether Romanian courts will ever enforce the sentence outside Romania.

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