Should I defoliate next week?

Defoliation is massively misunderstood..........it does not "make energy go to the buds"! All of the plants energy is made by the leaves. Less leaves = less energy being made = less potential bud growth. This is simple plant science. Defoliate after harvest, not before would be my advice. Personally, I believe defoliation is really bad for plants. In 40 years of growing I have tried many, many "techniques", including defoliation and for the last 25 years, never, ever defoliate as I have observed the many negative impacts this causes to plants. Cannabis grows best with as little stress as possible and with as many leaves as possible to provide the maximum amount of energy for best health and fastest growth. If the plants would not need those leaves, it would not grow them in the first place! The plants "know" what is best for them, it is only people who think they know better than a plant that is at is peak of efficiency after Millenia of evolution.