If it makes pollen or has pistols, how can they be pre-flowers? Are they not then, in actuality, flowers? For example, a petunia that is just about to open is still a true flower and it's parts are all inside. If you want to cross-pollinate or just pollinate the plant with itself, you tape the flower closed then open just enough to add some pollen before taping it sealed again to make sure only the pollen you WANT to have in there get in there. I'd think it's the same with cannabis.

Just with these plants, you can't seal off the flower without a plastic bag if you want just the one bit of pollen on it... But if there are pistols it might just be a young flower.

Or are they still considered "preflowers" until fully budding or open? I was thinking that it was a preflower until it showed for sure it's gender in obvious form...