Wiz Khalifa Says He ‘Didn’t Mean Any Disrespect’ to Romania After Arrest For Lighting Up During Show

Wiz Khalifa took an unexpected detour to a Romanian jail over the weekend when the 36-year-old rapper (born Cameron Jibril Thomaz) ran afoul of the country’s drug laws while lighting up one of his omnipresent joints on stage.

According to a translation of a press release from the Romanian anti-organized crime and terrorism agency DIICOT, “During a recital held during a music festival held 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. We make it clear 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.”

Khalifa, a longtime, enthusiastic proponent of cannabis was busted after performing at the Beach Please! Festival on Saturday night in the nation where recreational marijuana is illegal. In a video posted by fans, Khalifa can be seen lighting up a fat blunt on stage and later being escorted by a phalanx of police as he says, “don’t surround me… I ain’t going nowhere… I follow you,” presumably during his arrest.

The rapper apologized on X following the arrest, writing, “Last nights show was amazing. I didn’t mean any disrespect to the country of Romania by lighting up on stage. They were respectful and let me go. I’ll be back soon. But without a big ass joint next time.” The Hollywood Reporter reported that Khalifa was charged with illegal drug possession before his release from custody.

At press time no additional information was available on Khalifa’s sanction in the incident or whether he will need to return to the country in the future for a follow-up court date; a spokesperson for the rapper had not returned a request for comment at press time.

Last month, Khalifa and girlfriend Aimee Aguilar announced that they were expecting their first child together. The pair did not reveal the due date for the baby girl, who will join the “Roll Up” MC’s 11-year-old son, Sebastian, with ex Amber Rose.

See Khalifa’s statement below.

Gil Kaufman

Billboard