R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-30-1: Distribution in streets or from house to house prohibited.

No person shall, by himself or herself or by his or her servant or agent, sell, distribute, or give away in any street or highway or from house to house any bottle, box, envelope, or package containing any liquid medicine or any pills, powder, tablets, or other article which contains any drug or poison; provided, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to any person acting as a member, officer, or agent of any pharmaceutical house in the distribution of samples of its products to physicians. Any person, whether acting for himself or herself or for another, or as member, officer, or agent of any partnership or corporation, who shall violate any of the provisions of this section shall be fined not more than fifty dollars ($50.00), or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.