Weed is not going to get you as high until it's cured. In other words, no, not really. You can, it's just not the best.
Weed DOES in fact get you high even if it is picked off the plant and quick dried; I'm baked as fuck off of this method right now...that being said, the plants that a buddy has are fairly mature (he "prunes" out the lowest popcorn to stone out on until the colas are done). It's not worse for you per se, however, you're smoking chlorophyl and excess water. Above posters are right in that weed definitely needs to be properly slow dried and let cure to be at its full potential, but that doesn't take away the fact that quick dried fresh bud will get you high.
all kinda of people pick and smoke,, Some throw it in the microwave, or use UV drying.. < what I do with a heat lamp.. its ok in a pinch,, try not to make a habit of it cause slow water evaporation is the key to good smoke.
This is just a guess, but are you asking this because you'd rather not have a plant growing, cus your afraid of getting in trouble? If so, than harvesting early isn't a problem. Although if I remember correctly the flowering period is the shortest, so I don't think you'd save that much time. Whether or not you harvest early or not its always a good idea to cure. Curing raises the potency, certain chemicals in it will convert into thc if you give them some time. It will also be more smokable. A bud right of the plant is damp and will not break up good, or smoke good. Lastly, cured pot tastes better. So if you are just a little worried about having a plant growing, you could harvest then cure, since curing is allot easier to conceal.
I would want to experience my crop at it's finest. But then again I haven't grown so I'd want my first crop to be at it's best.
