American rapper Wiz Khalifa has been sentenced in absentia to nine months in prison by a Romanian court following an incident last year in which he smoked cannabis on stage during a music festival.

The ruling comes despite an earlier fine of 3,600 Romanian lei ($829) for drug possession, which was overturned on appeal.

The appellate court cited concerns that Khalifa’s actions lighting a joint on stage in front of a largely young audience — could send a message normalizing illegal drug use and potentially influence minors.

Romania maintains strict laws against both recreational and medical cannabis use.

Khalifa, whose real name is Thomaz Cameron Jibril, apologized publicly, emphasizing that he had no intention of disrespecting Romania or encouraging illegal behavior.

He remains in the United States, where cannabis laws differ across states, and was recently seen streaming on Twitch.

This case highlights the stark contrast between international drug policies and the responsibilities of public figures performing before impressionable audiences.

It underscores the importance of understanding local laws and the broader impact of one’s actions on communities.