JAMES BROWN ARRESTED ON DRUG, WEAPONS CHARGES

AIKEN, S.C. (AP) -- Soul singer James Brown is in trouble again, this time
on gun and marijuana charges.

Less than a week after leaving a hospital where his agent said he was
treated for an addiction to painkillers, Brown surrendered Tuesday and was
charged with marijuana possession and unlawful use of a firearm.

Brown, 64, who was freed on bond, said he smoked a small amount of
marijuana for medicinal purposes.

"I have bad eyes," he told The Chronicle of Augusta, Ga. "It was just a
little tiny bit. It wasn't even a misdemeanor -- it should've been in
recorder's court."

Brown, who served three years in prison for 1988 convictions on and assault
charges, said he keeps guns at his Beech Island home and doesn't plan to stop.

"I got to have protection," Brown said. "I have guns and I'm going to keep
on having guns. Thank God it's a free country."

Jeff Allen, Brown's agent, has said the singer became addicted to
painkillers that he had begun taking after he was injured on stage.

Brown has denied that he was addicted. He said his daughter hospitalized
him against his will after he became upset while watching a television
program about poor children in South America.

"My daughter made a mistake," he said. "She should have just called me and
asked if she could come over and check on me, but she called the police.
Then they came and asked me if I would go to the hospital, and I didn't
want to say no."

The charges stem from evidence that deputies found at Brown's home when
they took him to the hospital. A police report, which listed the case as a
"mental transport," said officers found guns at his home, but did not
mention marijuana.

The "Godfather of Soul" has had more than 100 singles make the charts,
including "I Got You (I Feel Good)," "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and
"Please, Please, Please."