The reference is the second link you posted on page one. Look at subsections 1.16 page 2 and 2.8.4 on page 4.
http://sos.ri.gov/documents/archives/regdocs/released/pdf/DOH/5923.pdf. May be old, I think the document has a date of 2006.
1.16 "Seedling" means a marijuana plant with no observable flowers or buds.
2.8.1 A registered primary caregiver may possesses an amount of marijuana which does not exceed twelve (12) mature marijuana plants and two and one-half (2.5) ounces of usable marijuana for each qualifying patient to whom he or she is connected through the Department's registration process established pursuant to these Regulations.
2.8.2 Notwithstanding the provisions of §2.8.1 of these Regulations, no primary caregiver other than a compassion center shall possess an amount of marijuana in excess of twenty-four (24) mature marijuana plants and five (5) ounces of usable marijuana for qualifying patients to whom he or she is connected through the Department's registration process established pursuant to these Regulations.
2.8.3 A registered qualifying patient may possesses an amount of marijuana which does not exceed twelve (12) mature marijuana plants and two and one-half (2.5) ounces of usable marijuana.
2.8.4 Registered primary caregivers and registered qualifying patients shall be allowed to possess a reasonable amount of unusable marijuana, including up to twelve (12) seedlings, which shall not be counted toward the limits established in §§2.8.1 and 2.8.3 of these Regulations.