If a plant has buds with varying degrees of ripeness ( prob. due to improper lighting ) and the ripe buds were removed ( removal of the entire branch ) would the remaining buds (the less mature ones still on the plant) be negatively effected?

no, well not if you do it right.

i'm not exactly sure how to do this properly. but people who are in the know will help you out soon.

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I would like to know the answer to this too- thank you.

you can remove buds and the other buds will continue to grow. try to cut as little as possible at a time...so not to stress the plant.