Thank you for your insight bro.
Your thinking is in line with mine, it may be irritating for me, but when flowering is happening, we know that new sugar leaves explode, and the difference in their coloration is obvious, so the overall health can be determined "where it matters."
I know there's growers out there who heavy defoliate as soon as flowering is started, which I don't think is the best practice. It may not detract from the nutrient store, but it may shock the plants and cause lower production due to that shock.
I'll probably heavy defol toward the end, taking all lowers under the net for canna butter :D