Doesn't matter if he "sold" them. Under federal law, providing drugs to another is distribution. Compensation is irrelevant.
Under federal law, "The term distribute includes the actual, constructive, or attempted transfer of a controlled substance. To distribute a
controlled substance, there need not be an exchange of money."
That being said, I splitting an 8-ball with some hookers is not going to meet any districts internal prosecution guidelines.
Now, was it distribution under state law? Probably in most states, but it depends entirely on how the state law is written. In any event I doubt it's going to be felony distribution under most state laws because - let's be honest - these are user amounts.