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Rapper Wiz Khalifa faced legal trouble in Romania after allegedly smoking cannabis onstage at the Beach Please! Festival in Costinești. Romanian authorities initiated criminal proceedings against the 36-year-old artist for "unlawful possession of drugs" following his performance. The country's Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism reported that Khalifa had more than 18 grams of cannabis in his possession and consumed a "craft cigarette" during the concert.
Khalifa acknowledged the incident on social media, expressing regret for his actions. "Last night's show was amazing. I didn't mean any disrespect to the country of Romania by lighting up on stage," he wrote on X. "They were very respectful and let me go. I'll be back soon. But without a big a** joint next time."
Footage shared online shows Khalifa being escorted off the stage by police officers. Despite the incident, the rapper seemed appreciative of the Romanian authorities' respectful handling of the situation. The investigation into the matter is ongoing, with recreational cannabis use remaining illegal in Romania, classified as a "risk drug."
Khalifa, known for frequently referencing cannabis in his music and social media, was performing at a festival where the Romanian Interior Ministry had launched an anti-drug campaign. This heightened the scrutiny on his actions. The Beach Please! Festival, co-founded by YouTuber Andrei Selaru, attracted an estimated 200,000 participants.
The arrest is not the first for an American rapper in Europe. Recently, Nicki Minaj was detained in the Netherlands for allegedly exporting soft drugs. Despite these incidents, Khalifa maintains a strong presence in the music industry, with upcoming performances scheduled in Las Vegas and recent releases of multiple mixtapes.
Khalifa, expecting his second child with girlfriend Aimee Aguilar, has shared his personal life on social media, including his excitement about becoming a father again. The couple has largely stayed out of the spotlight but has been seen together publicly on several occasions.
The rapper's open advocacy for cannabis use, including a recent incident where he admitted to being under the influence of magic mushrooms while throwing the first pitch at a baseball game, continues to spark conversations about the legality and cultural acceptance of drug use.
