Wiz Khalifa Slammed With Illegal Drug Possession Charge During Romanian Festival

Wiz Khalifa is learning the hard way that cannabis is not welcomed in all countries.

While the "Black and Yellow" hitmaker enjoys lighting it up in the US without consequences, unfortunately, Romania did not share similar sentiments. The rapper got arrested for smoking on stage and allegedly possessing 18 grams of the "risk drug."

Wiz Khalifa is no stranger to cannabis, frequently referencing the drug in his lyrics and co-founding the cannabis company Khalifa Kush.

News of Wiz Khalifa's arrest broke on Sunday via a statement from the Romanian anti-organised crime prosecutors (DIICOT). Although they did not mention the rapper's name, their explanation of the situation pointed to him.

"On 14.07.2024, the prosecutors of the Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism - Constanța Territorial Service ordered the initiation of criminal proceedings against a defendant (US citizen), investigated for the crime of unlawful possession of risk drugs," they revealed.

"It was noted that he, during a recital held during a music festival held in the resort of Costinești, Constanța county, possessed over 18 grams of cannabis (risk drug) and consumed (on stage) another amount of cannabis under the shape of a craft cigarette," the message continued.

The statement shared by DIICOT stressed that prosecutors would be fair in their investigations. They promised that Wiz Khalifa would "benefit from the procedural rights and guarantees provided by the Code of Criminal Procedure, as well as the presumption of innocence."

Following his arrest on Sunday, Wiz Khalifa has officially been charged with illegal drug possession. Cannabis is considered a "risk drug" in Romania, and possession is punishable by up to ten years in prison.

A source close to the investigation confirmed that Wiz Khalifa, along with others, had been taken in for questioning early on Sunday. The insider claimed, per Barron's, that he was charged but not kept in custody.

As seen in a video shared on X, the Hip-hop star had been headlining the "Beach, Please!" festival in the Romanian village of Costinesti on the shore of the Black Sea. He took a moment to relax, lighting up a large blunt while the MC gassed him up.

The clip also captured the moment authorities escorted Wiz Khalifa off the premises. Although it was unclear who he was talking to, he said: "Don't come near me, bro. Don't surround me, don't do none of that. I'm not going nowhere."

Instead of leaving a sour taste in his mouth, Wiz Khalifa's run-in with Romanian authorities did not ruin the time he had spent in the country. He addressed his arrest positively on X, writing:

"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."

His words sparked supportive messages from fans, including Romanians who praised his apologetic stance. "At least you did it respectfully!" someone penned, while another chimed, "It's ok!!!! Come back next year Wiz, I already got my ticket! You lit!!!"

Four years before his arrest, The Blast reported that Wiz Khalifa and Michael Strahan got sued over their cannabis company Khalifa Kush. The lawsuit was filed by one of the co-owners, Carlos Arias, over his alleged rights to profits.

According to court documents, Arias claimed he was denied interest from the company's proceeds, including a cannabis licensing deal valued no less than $20,000,000.

He also accused the pair of "breach of fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting fiduciary breaches," among other crimes.

In Arias' words, Wiz Khalifa and Strahan were guilty of "wrongful conduct" from the usurpation and misappropriation of assets to stealing "more than $100,000,000 in assets" from KKE USA and the Khalifa Kush Joint Venture.

Arias slammed Wiz Khalifa in his filing, accusing the rapper and his entourage of conspiring with an outside counsel to orchestrate their devious scheme. He accused them of asset misappropriation and using the proceeds for themselves.

The plaintiff also claimed that specific third-party beneficiaries like Strahan and SMAC Entertainment benefitted from Wiz Khalifa's scheme. Meanwhile, he was denied his "fair and equitable interest in the Nominal Defendants' assets."

Despite this lawsuit and his recent arrest in Romania, Wiz Khalifa's love for cannabis hasn't dwindled. However, it remains to see if he will escape the Romanian authorities without consequences.