Nice looking flowers ya got there!
Just like a tomato plant, some tomatoes are green, while others are ripe to pick...a lovely red color. So, instead of cutting down the whole tomato plant, you pick tomatoes off as they ripen. I imagine the same should apply for Cannabis too! You can even compare the highs/effects of different buds taken at different times and zero-in on the perfect time(s) to harvest for the desired effect!