If the fan leafs in the bud are dying I woulden't but if it's just on the bottom of the whole plant you can take dead leaves off, but like I said on a stress thread, taking off leaves if it stresses the plant at all its barly. People can trim their plant threw out its life and some people do it up to as much as taking off half the leaves but the plant dident ever turn hermie, but to much stress can cause a hermie so in my opinon it's not a form of realy stressing your plant. If you are looking to stressit their are plenty of ways to do it. If your just taking off dead leaves it realy won't cause a harmful amount of stress and not a very good method at the same time. Sorry If i confused you i'm blazed.