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Legend has it that on Feb. 6, 1962, then U.S. president John F. Kennedy ordered an aide into his office and asked him to track down about 1,000 Cuban cigars. Once secured, the story goes, he then signed the order banning all Cuban imports to the U.S.

In the 52 years since the trade embargo, law-abiding Americans craving a Cuban Cohiba have had to go abroad. Here in Canada, whenever American businessmen and tourists come seeking that prized Cuban tobacco, our cigar shops have been more than happy to oblige, carving out a lucrative northern corner on U.S. contraband all for themselves.

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Now it could all be about to come to an end.

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With U.S. President Barack Obama announcing Wednesday a plan to normalize relations with Cuba — which would allow Americans to travel to the Caribbean island, and bring back US$100 worth of cigars — Americans may finally get the chance to legally light up an authentic Cuban at home. And who knows how long before normalized relations leads to normalized commercial trading, allowing U.S. retailers to stock Havana stogies?