Laws in California. Why Is It That Drug Possesion Never Realy Gets a Person Into That Much Trouble?

ive noticed that people in los angeles (i live there) never seem to get into that much trouble when in posession of harder drugs.

its classed as a felony though. however it seems to almost always get dropped to a misdemeanor and always results in probation or forced into a rehab. the worst ive seen is a guy who did a few weeks in county after repeated offenses for posession. the only time they actualy get convicted is if there is intent to distribute.

can anyone explain?