I buy the excuse that he didn't know because the article makes it sound like he was munching on them like candy, and I can't imagine someone would do that if they knew what they were getting into. However, it is strange that he had them in the first place. Is it possible that some convenience stores or gas stations sell pot stuff there? If they sell edibles or pot like they typically sell tobacco and alcohol, that might be where he got them because it seems strange for someone to eat candy someone else gave them. The only reason I would do that is if it was from a friend, but they'd almost certainly tell me that the gummies would get me high. That said, maybe he forgot they were THC edibles.

Another possibility is maybe he thought they were CBD infused, not THC. Then again, seems crazy to just munch on CBD gummies like they're candy, but at the very least it probably wouldn't have you passing out on the highway like he did.