Do Lights HAVE to be Completely Above the Plant?

Ok so I have a MasterKush girly about 4-5 weeks into flowering (with CFLs).
Even though its only about 20-24" tall (after a little LST), the plants reached up to the CFL which was directly above it and a few leaves got a lil burned, so I had to change my light set up quite a bit.
Now, my growbox (rubbermaids - which are a bitch with space control) has lights that are about even with the top of the top cola (but off to the the side a few inches so there wont be any more burning), and then a few which are lower for side lighting. While I've noticed CFLs don't really cause any explosive growth, the mid-low colas have definitely fattened up more since adjusting...
BUT everyone seems to take the most pride in their top colas so I'm a little concerned. Will this be a problem in terms of the overall yield/potency potential?

Thanks for any answers

any plant is going to grow more if its getting more light but in most cases like myself have 4 plants in 4x6 area wiv 600w HPS as i cant have so much power coming from my house it wud set alarms bell to cops lol.. i wud say having 1 strong lamp for 1 plant 3x3 area wud be perfect conditions. i just keep my lamp about 16`` above plants and rise as nessesary. im around same stage as urself man,, get sum pics up