The meaning of 'bootleg' when referred to drugs.

[JWills20]

Hi all,

I've recently come across drugs which have been referred to as 'bootleg' versions. I'm not entirely sure what this means, but I think it means that they are cheap knock-off versions made illegally. But then by that definition, all illicit drugs are 'bootlegs' but they're rarely described as such. Does anyone have a proper definition for what 'bootleg' refers to in the context of drugs?

Thanks

 

[T. Calderone]

Good question! When I think of bootleg, pills come to mind. So it would mean those that were not manufactured by a legit company. So yeah, street drugs would fall into that category of bootleg in my opinion but I don't know the proper definition.