US rapper Wiz Khalifa has been charged with illegal drug possession after performing at the “Beach, Please!” festival in the Romanian village of Costinesti, where he allegedly consumed cannabis on stage, prosecutors said.
The hip-hop star was headlining at the seaside festival on the shore of the Black Sea when he got caught with the drug early Sunday, according to prosecutors. Videos posted on social media show the rapper being escorted from the venue by Romanian authorities.
“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,” Romanian anti-organised crime prosecutors (DIICOT) said in a statement on Sunday.
A source close to the investigation confirmed to AFP that Wiz Khalifa, together with other people, had been taken in for questioning early on Sunday. Khalifa was subsequently charged but not kept in custody, the source added. The investigation into the musician is ongoing, according to prosecutors.
Cannabis is considered a “risk drug” in Romania, and possession is punishable by up to ten years in prison. The charges against Khalifa highlight the strict drug laws in Romania, contrasting sharply with the more lenient attitudes toward cannabis in parts of the United States.
Khalifa, known for his marijuana-themed lyrics, is a prominent figure in the cannabis culture. Legal cannabis companies in the US have drawn celebrity funding or endorsements from known aficionados of marijuana like Wiz Khalifa and rapper Snoop Dogg, as well as actor Seth Rogen and former boxing champ Mike Tyson.
This incident marks another controversial moment in Romania’s music scene. Earlier this month, US rapper Nicki Minaj abruptly canceled her appearance at the Saga Festival in Bucharest, citing safety concerns due to upcoming protests. Accountants held a protest against changes in fiscal legislation in Romania one day after her scheduled appearance, but the demonstration passed peacefully.
As the investigation into Wiz Khalifa’s case continues, it serves as a reminder of the varying legal landscapes surrounding cannabis use worldwide. The rapper’s legal troubles in Romania underscore the importance of understanding and adhering to local laws, even for international celebrities.
