By Jenna SundelShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberAfter a Romanian court sentenced rapper Wiz Khalifa to nine months in jail for drug possession, criminologist Vlad Zaha said that “extraditing a Black American for cannabis now would be politically and socially absurd.”
Romanian journalist Mircea Barbu said on X that he spoke to Zaha about the chances the rapper, whose real name is Cameron Jibril Thomaz, serves the sentence in Romania.
“[U.S. President Donald] Trump’s new ‘war on drugs’ doesn’t target cannabis. Most US states have already legalised or decriminalised it,” Zaha added, according to Barbu.
It is unclear whether Romanian authorities will seek to file an extradition request. Thomaz is a U.S. citizen and does not reside in Romania.
Newsweek reached out to the White House and a representative for the rapper.
...Why It Matters
Romania has some of the harsher drug laws in Europe. Possession of cannabis for personal use is a criminal offense and can result in a prison sentence of three months to two years, or a fine.
What To Know
Thomaz was stopped by Romanian police in July 2024, accused of smoking cannabis on stage at the "Beach, Please! Festival" in Costinesti. Prosecutors said he was found to be in possession of more than 18 grams of cannabis, and that he consumed some on stage.
“Last nights 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,” Thomaz wrote on X the day after the concert.
Constanta's Court of Appeal handed down the nine-month sentence after Khalifa was convicted of “possession of dangerous drugs, without right, for personal consumption,” according to Agerpres, Romania’s national news agency.
A lower court in Constanta County issued Thomaz a criminal fine of 3,600 lei, or around $830, for “illegal possession of dangerous drugs” in April. Prosecutors appealed the court’s decision and sought a tougher sentence.
“Wiz Khalifa is a multimillionaire with links to influential circles in the US. Romania simply lacks the political and economic leverage to demand extradition,” Zaha said, according to Barbu.
What People Are Saying
Zaha, in comments to BBC News: “Given the defendant's wealth and connections, Romania's lack of real negotiating power on extradition, and the legal and political status of cannabis in the US, it is highly unlikely that Wiz Khalifa will be sent to serve a prison sentence in Constanța, even though a formal judicial request will be submitted to the United States.”
What Happens Next
Appeals are available, according to Zaha, who said, “Romanian courts have overturned many final convictions, especially in serious cases like corruption. His lawyers will pursue all avenues,” Barbu reported.
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