Benzinga | Sep 1, 2021 01:31PM EDT

Amazon's Unique Solution To Delivery Driver Crisis - Pros And Cons

The acute driver crisis has prompted Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) to recommend its delivery partners to ignore applicants' marijuana usage, Bloomberg reports.

* Amazon said that the step could boost the job applicants by up to 400%, as screening for marijuana cuts the prospective worker pool by 30%.

* It would prove to be immensely beneficial considering the upcoming holiday shopping season.

* However, other delivery companies are continuing to screen applicants due to insurance and liability implications. Amazon stopped screening applicants for the drug in June.

* School bus drivers can make over $20 an hour and are home for dinner. While Amazon contract drivers typically earn $17 an hour and often work late into the night to keep up with demand. However, Amazon is presently not in a mood for a pay hike.

* The crisis also continues to weigh on Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER) and Lyft Inc's (NASDAQ:LYFT) ride-hailing business.

* Price Action: AMZN shares traded higher by 1.49% at $3,522.52 on the last check Wednesday.