$400 is about top end of the illegal street market, and that via multiple middle men. A grower thinking they are going to get that is nigh about delusional. A grower is going to be selling by the pound, kilo or more. You can't sit on it for months waiting for the best market. I would estimate that there is about a 6 month window from harvest to point where the product is no longer of desirable use. Medical cannabis has enabled a smaller distribution chain between grower and consumer, at least potentially, but the seller is probably doing 100% mark up so an oz. that goes for $350 probably pays the grower about $175 or less. Most of these operations tend to work hand in glove with a grower (same people) so they are obviously making more.

If growing cannabis isn't a full time job, you shouldn't expect to have your entire livelihood subsidized by doing it. And lets be realistic, agricultural labor is some of the lowest paid work out there. There is competition from illegal grow operations, at least for the non medical. They have to compete too, and since the illegal market has shrunk in Medical MJ States, prices have fallen.

If Cannabis is made legal in Cali and other states, I'd expect considerable decline in prices.