In a groundbreaking move that's sure to brighten even the gloomiest of moods, California has officially passed the "Mandatory Happiness Act," requiring all residents to smile at least 37.5 times per day. The new law, which went into effect yesterday, has already led to a record number of spontaneous dance parties and suspiciously cheerful traffic jams.

Governor Sunny McCheerface explained the rationale behind the law: "We realized that if everyone smiled more, we could solve everything from traffic congestion to climate change. Honestly, it's science. Or at least, it feels that way."

To enforce the law, California has hired an elite team of "Happy Vibes Officers" equipped with Smile Meters™—devices that beep loudly when someone frowns too long. One officer, Lieutenant Giggles, shared, "We recently caught a man sulking in a coffee line. After a stern reminder and a mandatory group hug, he was back to being Mr. Sunshine."

Not everyone is thrilled. Local resident Grumpy Greg complained, "I tried to frown, but the meter made this annoying beep, and now I’m stuck smiling like a cartoon character. I miss my scowl." Meanwhile, therapists are reportedly seeing a boom in appointments, as people struggle to fake genuine happiness while obeying the law.

California’s Mandatory Happiness Act might just be the world's first attempt at legislating joy—proof that sometimes, the best way to beat the blues is with a little enforced grinning and a lot of state-sponsored optimism.

So if you find yourself in California and can't help but grin uncontrollably, remember: it's not just the sunshine—it's the law.