The tax on legal cannabis in California is expected to skyrocket by the start of the year 2018, a new report suggests.

Starting in January 2018, consumers, growers, sellers and businesses in The Golden State may be required to pay as much as 45 per cent in local and state taxes at the time recreational marijuana sales kick off.

The state plans to treat the new system similar to liquor sales - by permitting persons aged 21 and up to acquire as much as an ounce of cannabis and legally grow up to six plants at their place of residence.

'Consumers will pay a sales tax ranging from 22.25% to 24.25%, which includes the state excise tax of 15%, and additional state and local sales taxes ranging from 7.25% to 9.25%,' the report said (stock image)

The purpose is to push cannabis from farms to distribution centers to be tested for the retail market.

According to CNN Money, the Fitch Ratings report says 'consumers will pay a sales tax ranging from 22.25% to 24.25%, which includes the state excise tax of 15%, and additional state and local sales taxes ranging from 7.25% to 9.25%.'

Businesses in the area 'will pay a tax ranging from 1% to 20% of gross receipts, or $1 to $50 per square foot of marijuana plants.'

The purpose of the new plan is to push cannabis from farms to be distributed and tested for the retail market

Some say the sales tax say will likely impede the installment of the state's legal cannabis market

Cannabis growers can also expect to be 'taxed $9.25 per ounce for flower, and $2.75 per ounce for leaves.'

In some parts of the state, the sales tax could reach the shocking 45 per cent - which officials say will likely impede the installment of its legal cannabis market.

John Kagia, analyst for New Frontier Data within the industry, said in a statement: 'If taxes increase the price of cannabis beyond a certain point, the legal market becomes less competitive than the illicit market.

'If taxes increase the price of cannabis beyond a certain point, the legal market becomes less competitive than the illicit market,' said John Kagia (pictured)

'Then consumers become less likely to make the transition from the illicit market to the legal market,' Kagia added, according to the report.

The state will also issue temporary licenses at the start of the new year as part of the revised method which will govern the retail regulation of the drug.

If businesses fail to obtain a license by the start of each period, governments will not collect their portion of the revenue.

However, under the state's multi-billion dollar industry, it's difficult to determine what the outcome may be.

'California's black markets for cannabis were well established long before its voters legalized cannabis in November 2016 and are expected to dominate post-legalization production,' the Fitch report said.