The last time we took a road tip through Georgia,  the statewide prohibition against package sales of alcohol on Sunday caught us by surprise.

News just came down that Gov. Nathan Deal has signed Senate Bill 10, which allows Georgia cities and counties to individually decide if Sunday alcohol sales will be allowed, a practice that is common in most other states.

Georgia’s blue laws remained a holdover from the horrible days of Prohibition, and this move makes a lot of sense. Not only did the blue laws stifle sales by small businesses, but they had a provision that allowed restaurants to sell alcohol on Sunday. Think about it. Instead of allowing Georgians to buy a beer or a bottle of wine on Sunday to enjoy at home, or their hotel they had to drive to a restaurant if they wanted a drink. Not a problem for most of us, who are responsible drinkers. But in reality, there are people who can’t control their drinking, so they have to drive back home after becoming tipsy. Not the safest situation.

According to an article in Atlanta Creative Loafing, “Some cities and counties, including Loganville, Smyrna, Kennesaw, Snellville and Woodstock, are already preparing to place the referendum on ballots during scheduled elections this fall.” Atlanta will likely hold its referendum during next year’s presidential election, though it may hold a special election earlier than that.