Having taken many botany courses at a prominant state university, I think anyone who thinks taking off fan leaves is good is WRONG period (well for the most part). Now if one wants to take off the small, non-producing shoots from down under, it is most likely not a problem. Anything on a plant that is green however, is producing something for the overall success of the plant. I have experimented with the same variety (removing some, leaving all) and there is no question about the fan leaves. They must stay for maximum growth. There are situations where removing them is required. Sometimes with a scrog, the underside of the screen gets very congested and proper aeration is difficult at best. The lower leaves and shoots probably need to be removed otherwise mr. mold may visit your crop. Normally, a plant will drop a leaf when it is ready too. I have seen too often on this site where plants get top heavy during flower. I know there are many factors that contribute to this including light too far away, not enough fan during growth, too much competition, etc. Another reason is the removal of lower fan leaves. Plants and trees depend on those lower leaves and branches to provide energy that is converted into proper trunk taper. That is the stalk being much thicker at the base that higher in the plant. This is extremely important for trees but it also applies to hoochie.