Defoliation doesn't look necessary here. When I defoliate, I start with a pass of selective de-leafing, where I remove leaves that directly cover, or shade bud-sites. Then I'll thin out what looks to be restricting airflow, and light, to the mids.
With less intense lighting, growth will be more stretched out between its nodes - almost as if already defoliated, that's why I say it's not needed here.