American rapper Wiz Khalifa, born Cameron Thomaz, was arrested and charged with illegal drug possession over the weekend. The 36-year-old artist was found with cannabis after he smoked the substance on stage during his performance at the Beach, Please! festival in Costinesti.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, July 14, 2024. Local anti-organized crime prosecutors, DIICOT, released a statement detailing the charges against Khalifa. According to the statement, “During a recital held during a music festival in the Costinești resort, Constanța county, [Khalifa] possessed over 18 grams of cannabis (risk drug) and consumed (onstage) another amount of cannabis under the shape of a craft cigarette.”
Despite the gravity of the charges, DIICOT emphasized that Khalifa is entitled to the procedural rights and guarantees provided by the Code of Criminal Procedure, including the presumption of innocence. The statement underscored that, “During the entire criminal process, the investigated persons benefit from the procedural rights and guarantees provided by the Code of Criminal Procedure, as well as the presumption of innocence.”
Following his brief detention, the ‘See You Again’ hitmaker was released from custody. Khalifa promptly took to social media to apologize for his actions. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he expressed his regret and clarified that his actions were not intended to show disrespect to the Romanian audience or authorities. “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 a** joint next time,” he wrote.
This isn’t the first time Wiz Khalifa’s cannabis use has made headlines. Recently, he admitted that his 11-year-old son Sebastian’s teachers “expect” him to attend school meetings while under the influence of the drug. Khalifa, who shares Sebastian with ex-wife Amber Rose, candidly remarked that he is “pretty sure” his son “smells” of cannabis.
Wiz Khalifa’s unapologetic stance on cannabis has long been a part of his public persona, with the rapper often advocating for its legalization and normalization. However, this latest incident in Romania highlights the ongoing legal challenges and cultural differences surrounding cannabis use worldwide.
As the situation unfolds, Khalifa’s fans and the music community at large are left to ponder the implications of his actions and the broader conversation about cannabis legality and social acceptance.
